LES TROIS ISLETS

LES TROIS ISLETS
LIVRES RARES
Santa Monica Antiquarian International Book Fair
Santa Monica Auditorium - February 2013 9 - 10
21. BEULLOCH (WILLIAM BULLOCH OU BULLOCK, DIT). -LE MEXIQUE EN 1823, OU RELATION D’UN VOYAGE DANS LA
NOUVELLE-ESPAGNE. Paris, Alexis-Eymery, 1824.
Jean-François Letenneur
Librairie Ancienne des Trois Islets
7, rue du Vieux Clocher - BP 20 - 35800 Saint-Briac-sur-Mer (France)
Tel: 33 (0) 299 88 92 44
Direct: 33 (0) 681 35 73 35
Fax: 33 (0)2 99 88 00 22
[email protected]
www.librairie-trois-islets.com
List of 130 items to see on booth n°204
Travels: America, South and Central America, Asia, Egypt-Middle East, Africa;
Naval Explorations, Maritime, Atlas, Sciences, Technology, Miniature and Varia.
Americana
1. BERGERON (PIERRE). [BETHENCOURT (JEAN DE)]. [BONTHIER (PIERRE),
LE VERRIER (JEAN)]. -UN TRAICTE DE LA NAVIGATION ET DES VOYAGES DE
DESCOUVERTE & CONQUESTE MODERNES [WITH]. HISTOIRE DE LA PREMIERE
DESCOUVERTE ET CONQUESTE DES CANARIES. A Paris, chez Jean de Heuqueville et
Michel Soly, 1629. (Traicte de la Navigation) - A Paris, chez Michel Soly, 1630.
(Decouverte des Canaries). 2 vols. 12mo. Jean de Bethencourt's portrait by Balthasar
Moncornet. Full calf with the arms of Louis Urbain Le Fèvre de Caumartin (1653-1720).
Fine copy of this scarce Americana, complete with the 2 parts and portrait, only edition of
the very first French publication dealing with the history of maritime explorations. The texts
of the first part were compiled by Pierre Bergeron: it's a wonderful history of world
exploration at the age of discovery, concentrated on French' voyages. The second part,
written by Pierre Bontier and Jean le Verrier, is an account of the conquest of the Canary
Islands by Jean de Bethencourt. Rare, with a nice portrait.
$ 32 300
2.
BOSSU
VOYAGES AUX
UNE
(JEAN-BERNARD). -NOUVEAUX
INDES OCCIDENTALES CONTENANT
RELATION
DES
DIFFÉRENS
PEUPLES
QUI
SAINTMISSISSIPI.
HABITENT LES ENVIRONS DU GRAND FLEUVE
LOUIS, APPELLÉ VULGAIREMENT LE
Paris, Le Jay, 1768. 2 parts in 1 vol. 12mo, 4 plates
including engraved frontispieces in each volume. Half
marbled sheep. Second edition of primary interest for Louisiana, Alabama, and Illinois.
Bossu, a captain in the French navy, was the first to write about Louisiana in detail and
based on personal experience. Fine copy.
$ 2 700
3. CARVER (JONATHAN). -VOYAGE DANS LES PARTIES INTÉRIEURES DE
L'AMÉRIQUE SEPTENTRIONALE, PENDANT LES ANNÉES 1766, 1767 & 1768. Paris,
Pissot, 1784. 1 vol. 8vo. 1 folding map. Contemporary full calf. First French edition,
translated from the third English edition of this travel relation in America by captain
Jonathan Carver. This relation is an ethnographic document, where can be readen the
captain's observations of the "Nadoessis" and "Assinipoils" Indians. Interestings details
on America geography and "French-Chippevay" and "French-Nadoessis" dictionaries.
Fine copy.
$ 1 800
4. CHABERT (JEAN-BAPTISTE). -VOYAGE
FAIT PAR ORDRE DU ROI EN 1750 ET 1751,
DANS L'AMERIQUE SEPTENTRIONALE. Paris,
Imprimerie Royale, 1753. 1 vol. 4to. 6
folding maps, 1 folding plate, 1 folding table, 1
engraved head-piece. Contemporary calf. First edition of an important work on
navigation by Joseph Bernard Chabert (1724-1805). The work was highly praised
by the examining commission of the French Academy of Sciences, it was
recommended as a navigational model for future navigators. The first part of the
work contains the author's voyage from Brest to Louisbourg, and 4 expeditions, the
second part describes his astronomical observations at large. It is especially
Chabert's astronomical research, which was very precise even by today's standards,
that give his work great scientific value. Fine copy in armorial binding.
$ 4 700
5. CHAMPIGNY (CHEVALIER JEAN
DE).
-ETAT-PRESENT DE LA LOUISIANE,
AVEC TOUTES LES PARTICULARITÉS DE CETTE PROVINCE D'AMERIQUE,
POUR
SUITE À L'HISTOIRE DES ETABLISSEMENS DES EUROPÉENS DANS
LES DEUX INDES ; PAR LE COLONEL, CHEVALIER DE CHAMPIGNY. A la Haye,
chez Frederic Staatman, 1776. 1 vol. 8vo. Original wrappers. “An absorbing
SERVIR DE
account of the trial and punishment of leading French citizens of Louisiana,
inflicted on them by Alexander O’Reilly, the Spanish Governor of the province at
its transfer from France to Spain after the Seven Years’ War”. (Streeter). Fine copy.
$ 8 700
6. CHARLEVOIX (PIERRE-FRANÇOIS-XAVIER
DE).
-HISTOIRE
ET
DESCRIPTION GÉNÉRALE DE LA NOUVELLE
FRANCE, AVEC LE JOURNAL HISTORIQUE
D’UN VOYAGE FAIT PAR ORDRE DU ROI
DANS L’AMÉRIQUE SEPTENTRIONALE. A
Paris, chez Jean-Pierre Giffart, 1744. 3
vols. 4to. Complete with the 28 maps and
plans, 44 engraved plates on 22 folding sheets
depicting 96 varieties of American flora. title
vignettes & 4 elaborate headpieces drawn by
A.Humblot & engraved on copper by
P.Aveline. Numerous woodcut headpieces &
initials. Contemporary calf, gilt backs. First
edition. The product of twenty years research
and reflection, based on personal observation
and material gathered from the archives of the
Jesuit order and the Department of Marine,
Charlevoix's famous work is the first general
history of the French discoveries and
settlements in North America, covering the
period 1500 to 1736. Very pleasant and fresh
copy in contemporary binding.
$ 21 500
7. FENWICK (JOSEPH). -MÉMOIRE À CONSULTER, POUR LE CITOYEN JOSEPH FENWICK, FONDÉ DE PROCURATION
D'ABEL LUNT, CAPITAINE DU BRICK AMÉRICAIN L'UNION. [WITH] JOSEPH FENWICK À MONSIEUR JONA JONES,
DEVANT MESSIEURS LES JUGES DE LA COUR D'APPEL DE BORDEAUX. A Bordeaux, de l'Imprimerie d'André Racle,
an 9 [1800]. (I.) A Bordeaux, de l'Imprimerie de Ve La court et Faye Ainé. 1806. (II.) MÉMOIRE À CONSULTER,
POUR LE CITOYEN JOSEPH FENWICK, FONDÉ DE PROCURATION D'ABEL LUNT, CAPITAINE DU BRICK AMÉRICAIN
L'UNION. [WITH] JOSEPH FENWICK À MONSIEUR JONA JONES, DEVANT MESSIEURS LES JUGES DE LA COUR D'APPEL
DE BORDEAUX. A Bordeaux, de l'Imprimerie d'André Racle, an 9 [1800]. (I.) A Bordeaux, de l'Imprimerie de
Ve La court et Faye Ainé. 1806. (II.) 7 vols. 8vo. Ancient
portfolio. Joseph Fenwick (1762-1849) was the first Consul,
appointed by Georges Washington in 1795, for the United
States in Bordeaux, first town in the world to have an
American consulate. The first document is very scarce It is
the final judgment given by the Court for a case opposing
Abel Lunt and Fenwick to the Dubois for the American ship
“l’Union”. Six other documents are related to a case which
occupied the court of Bordeaux for more than 15 years: the
“Pigou case” involving Jona Jones, Joseph Fenwick and his
partner Mason. The court had to find out who had to
assume the loss, and it took more than 15 years, Jona Jones
being a Quaker refused to take oath in the usual forms. The
trial is still famous and appears in Merlin’s “Question de
droit” under “Serment”. Remarkable set of utmost scarce
documents, regarding two important trials, early international
trade law suits, involving the first American consul in the
world.
$ 8 000
8. [HAITIAN REVOLUTION / HERO OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY
WAR]. LATOUCHE TREVILLE (LOUIS-RENÉ-MADELEINE). [MSIGNED
MANUSCRIPT]. -LETTRE À SON EXCELLENCE, MONSIEUR L’AMIRAL
DUCKWORTH. A Saint-Domingue, le 3 Thermidor, an 11, 22 juillet 1802. [4]
ll. of blue paper folio (320 x 209 mm.), [3] manuscript in brown ink. Letter signed
by the famous Latouche Tréville (1745-1804), one of the most brillant French navy
officer of the sencond part of 18th century, one of the best captain who took part to
the American Revolutionary War, member of the Society of Cincinnati, who
inflicted to Nelson, the only failures he ever had. This letter, written in July 1803,
certainly was one of the last he wrote in America, it is addressed to Captain
Duckworth (1747-1817), governor of Jamaïca, to get a pass authorization to sail back
to France, because of Latouche-Tréville's health. This illness he gets in the
Carribean, was the one which killed him two years later. Fine copy.
$ 3 500
9. HENNEPIN (LOUIS) & DE LA BORDE. -VOYAGE OU NOUVELLE DÉCOUVERTE D'UN TRÈS GRAND PAÏS, DANS
L'AMÉRIQUE, ENTRE LE NOUVEAU MEXIQUE ET LA MER GLACIALE. [...] Amsterdam, Desbordes, 1712. 1 vol. 12mo
with 6 folding engraved plates and 1 folding engraved map. Full calf. Early edition of Hennepin's important account of his
American exploration, together with De La Borde's account of his travels in the Caribbean.
$ 4 300
10. HERRERA (ANTONIO DE). -HISTOIRE GÉNÉRALE DES VOYAGES ET
CONQUESTES DES CASTILLANS DANS LES ISLES ET TERRE-FERME DES
INDES OCCIDENTALES. Paris, N. & J de la Coste, 1660 et 1671. 3 vols.
4to. Contemporary calf. First French edition of this corner stone of early
americana. This copy counts the three volumes ever published, rarely found
together, listed as different works. The third volume was published eleven
years after the two first. This is the first Spanish work on America of this
importance published in Spain, his author : Antonio Herrera y Tordesillas
(1559-1625) being the first Royal Historiographer for the West Indies. The
third volume, in binding with arms, presents a nice ex-dono : « Ce livre m’a été
donné par monsieur le duc de la Rochefoucauld le 20 de février 1683 ». Fine
copy of this major work for the history of New World.
$ 16 100
11. LAVAL (PÈRE ANTOINE JEAN DE). -VOYAGE DE LA LOUISIANE, FAIT
PAR ORDRE DU ROY, EN L’ANNÉE MIL SEPT CENT VINGT. A Paris, Chez
Jean Mariette, 1728 – 1727 (« Recueil de Divers Voyages »). 1 vol. 4to.
16 maps (4 folding), 11 folding tables, 4 astronomical folding plates.
Contemporary full calf. First edition. « Principally occupied with mathematical
and astronomical details; A valuable and scientific books of travels, which
enters very fully into the Physical Geography, of the French Dominions in
Louisiana and the Mississipi Valley. There are copies on large paper.” Sabin
39276. Ownership inscription on the title-page indicating that it was given to
the "Séminaire Royal de la Marine" by the author on June 2, 1728. A quite rare
work, seldom met with, and one of the first major publications relating to
Louisiana.
$ 11 400
12. LAVALETTE (J.). [LAS]. -NOMS DES VOLONTAIRES EMBARQUÉS SUR LA GOÉLETTE LES DEUX AMIS,
EXPÉDIÉE SOUS PAVILLON PARLEMENTAIRE POUR KINGSTON, ISLE DE LA JAMAÏQUE. Port au Prince, 6 thermidor,
an 11ème, 1803. 1 folio l., manuscript, brown ink on blue paper. Document from the French Navy administration, signed
by Lavalette, French Major, settled in Port au Prince, and dated of summer 1803, a few months before the surrender of this
captain to Pétion and Dessalines, captains of the Haïtian Revolution. The document gives a list of 19 volunteers who had to
defend the schooner "Les Deux Amis", sent to Kingston, Jamaïca, then English possession. Fine copy of this rare document
contemporary of a crucial period for the West
Indies history.
$ 1 700
13. LE BEAU (CLAUDE). -AVANTURES
SR. C. LE BEAU, AVOCAT EN PARLEMENT,
DU
OU
VOYAGE CURIEUX ET NOUVEAU PARMI LES
SAUVAGES DE L'AMÉRIQUE
DANS
LEQUEL
ON
SEPTENTRIONALE,
TROUVERA
UNE
DESCRIPTION DU CANADA [...]. Amsterdam,
Herman Uytwerf, 1738. 2 vols. 12mo. 1 folding
map of Canada, 6 plates. Latter vellum binding.
Original edition of the account of this journey in
Canada by the French adventurer Claude Le
Beau, including his experience with the local
populations: Iroquois, Algonquins, Hurons and
others.
$ 2 100
14. MONTULE (EDOUARD DE). -RECUEIL DES CARTES ET DES VUES DU VOYAGE EN AMÉRIQUE, EN ITALIE, EN
SICILE ET EN EGYPTE FAIT PENDANT LES ANNÉES 1816, 1817, 1818 ET 1819. Paris, Delaunay, 1821. 2 text vols.
8vo, 1 atlas vol. oblong folio. 59 engraved plates (14 views tinted) including 2 folding maps. Contemporary half calf. Only
edition of this scarce collection of travel, one of the first travel book illustrated with lithographs, by Edouard de Montulé
(1792-?) who travelled in America,
Italy, Sicilia and Egypt. The text is a
collection of letters, and of 59
lithographed plates and among them
several early lithographed views of
America, and even “lithographic
firsts” as the 3rd plate: “New-York
vu de l’Ouest”, which is the earliest
view of New-York City. In the same
year, an English translation was
published (2 vols. 8vo), but that
translation only consisted of the part
on America and contains only 6
plates The two folding maps were
engraved by Bracas and C. de
Lasteyrie after the original drawings
by Montulé, the first shows the East
coast of America including Cuba and
other Caribbean isles. His drawings
are especially interesting for their
accurate and precise details showing
parts of America, Italy and Egypt not
often visited at the time. Fine copy.
$ 29 600
15. RIVOT (LOUIS EDOUARD). -VOYAGE AU LAC SUPÉRIEUR. EXTRAIT DES ANNALES DES MINES, TOME VII, PAGE
173. Paris, Dalmont, 1855. 1 vol. 12mo. 4 folding plates (2 coloured maps). Sewed. First edition of this study of metal
undertaken around the Upper Lake by the French scientist L.E. Rivot (1820-1869).
$ 1 300
16. VENEGAS (MIGUEL). -HISTOIRE NATURELLE ET CIVILE DE LA
CALIFORNIE. A Paris, Chez Durand, Libraire, rue Saint-Jacques; à la Sagesse,
1767. 3 vols. 12mo. 1 folding map. Contemporary half sheep. Second printing of
the first French edition translated from the English edition of 1759 of Noticia de la
California by Venegas: the first attempt to write an history of California, and a
reference. Fine copy.
$ 2 000
17.
VERGENNES (CHARLES GRAVIER,
COMTE DE). -MÉMOIRE HISTORIQUE ET
POLITIQUE SUR LA LOUISIANE. Paris, Le Petit
jeune, An X (1802). 1 vol. 8vo. 1 frontispiece
portrait of Vergennes. Full sheep. First edition.
The memoir on Louisiana, which includes
extensive discussion of Canada, occupies pp. 25181. Vergennes, a French statesman and
diplomatist, was minister for foreign affairs under
Louis XVI. During the American Revolutionary
War he concluded a treaty of alliance with the
United States against England.
$ 1 600
18. WALKER (CAPITAINE JAMES), HENIN
(GÉNÉRAL CHARLES D’). [MANUSCRIPT]. [ARMÉE DE SAINT DOMINGUE. LETTERS AND
CONVENTION]. West. Indies, september
1803. [4] manuscript ll., 4to. Fine manuscript
gathering two letters exchanged between James
Walker (1764-1831), and François Joseph de Hénin (1771-1847), in order to prepare the
Convention, with all the condition of the French surrender, after they were defeated by
the Haitian revolutionary generals: Dessalines and Pétion. Fine copy of this important
historical document.
$ 2 700
19. WELD (ISAAC). -TRAVELS THROUGH THE STATES OF NORTH AMERICA, AND THE PROVINCES OF UPPER
CANADA DURING THE YEARS 1795, 1796 AND 1797. London, Stockdale, 1800. 2 vol. 8vo. 1 hand-coloured folding
map, 15 engraved plates (most folding). Contemporary half sheep. Third English edition of two years journey of adventure
and exploration in North America. In 1795, Weld sailed from Dublin to Philadelphia. With Indian guides, he explored the
vast forests and great rivers. He also visited some great cities and met George Washington. Back in 1797, he published this
account: a great publishing success, translated in several languages. Fine copy nicely illustrated.
$ 1 800
South and Central America
20. ACOSTA (JOSE DE). -HISTORIA NATURALE, E MORALE DELLE INDIE. In Venetia [Venise], Presso Bernardo
Basa, All'Insegna del Sole. M D XCVI [1596]. 1 vol. 4to. Antique full vellum, ink title. First Italian edition, translated
by Giovanni Paolo Galucci Salodiano. Acosta was one of the first Europeans to provide a detailed image of the physical and
human geography of Latin America; his studies of the Indian civilizations of the New World were a major source of
information for several centuries. He may, indeed, be called the first of the true Americanists. Fine copy.
$ 3 400
21.
BEULLOCH
(WILLIAM
BULLOCH OU BULLOCK, DIT). -LE
MEXIQUE EN 1823, OU RELATION
D’UN VOYAGE DANS LA NOUVELLEESPAGNE. Paris, Alexis-Eymery,
1824. 2 vols. 8vo, 1 vol. oblong 4to
(Atlas). 20 plates (2 folding maps, 1
folding plate, 6 hand-coloured costume
plates). Contemporary sheep. Scarce
first French edition (OE, London,
same year), of this account of a voyage
to Mexico, the first English one since
1640 (Thomas Gage). The atlas’ plates
are lithographed by Marlet, who signed
the costumes plates. The other plates
are: maps of Mexico, views (1 folding)
and Aztecs sculptures. Fine copy in
contemporary
binding
of
this
uncommon work.
$ 7 400
22. BOITE (GASTON). -[RÉCIT
D’UN ÉMIGRANT AU CHILI]. [CHILI - FRENCH
IMIGRANT]. Ca. 1909. 1 vol. 8vo. 129 handwritten pp. [19] ll. 3 trolley
tickets, stamps, official papers, etc. Contemporary cloth binding. Spirited narrative by Gaston Boite, French emigrant to
Chile in the beginning of the 20th century. The journey from France to South America still was an adventure, for the
crossing and the installation and this log gives a vivid picture of it.
$ 2 400
23. [COLOMBIA – MANUSCRIPT]. BARROT (ADOLPHE). -[CARTHAGENA
CASE]. Carthagène, 1833. [29] 4to
manuscript ll., 3 ink drawings (2 on
tracing paper), 1 pencil drawing. Blue
case. Rich set of official and non official
documents, which certainly belonged to a
sailor, gathered after the Carthagena
Case, international incident between
France and New Granada in 1833.
Adolphe Barrot is wrongly accused to
have shot this men and is put into jail.
The French authorities, informed of this
incident, decided to act and some ships
are immediatly sent in New Granada to
rescue Barrot. Some letters are
exchanged between the ships' captains
and the Carthagena governor who first is
very reluctant to get involve, and change
his discourse when the possiblity of an
attack is evoked, and released Barrot.
SOLD
24. HUMBOLDT (FRÉDÉRIC-HENRI-ALEXANDRE, BARON DE). -VUES DES CORDILLÈRES, ET DES MONUMENS DES
PEUPLES INDIGÈNES DE L'AMÉRIQUE. Paris, librairie grecque - latine - allemande, 1816. 2 vols. 8vo. 19 engraved
plates (7 hand coloured). Contemporary half sheep. Humboldt went to Madrid with botanist Aime Bonpland, and obtained
special permission and passports from King Charles II to explore South America. Fine copy.
$ 2 200
25. LACROIX (F. J. PAMPHILE BARON DE). -MÉMOIRES POUR SERVIR À L'HISTOIRE DE LA RÉVOLUTION DE SAINTDOMINGUE. PAR LE LIEUTENANT-GÉNÉRAL BARON PAMPHILE DE LACROIX. AVEC UNE CARTE NOUVELLE DE L'ILE
ET UN PLAN TOPOGRAPHIQUE DE LE CRÊTE-A-PIERROT. A Paris, Chez Pillet Ainé, 1819. 2 vols. 8vo. 1 folding
coloured map, 1 folding plan. 19th half morocco. Scarce first edition of one of the best books on the "perte de cette colonie"
(Chadenat). The book is apparently very rare: described by Chadenat as one of the best books on the revolution on SaintDomingo it is not to be found in most of the reference works or bibliographies. Fine copy of a rare work.
$ 2 200
26. [MANUSCRIPT. MARITIME.] -JOURNAL DE BORD, VOYAGE AMÉRIQUE DU SUD. ALLER-RETOUR À LIMA.
Février-Décembre 1856. 1 vol. 8vo. [92] manuscript ll. Contemporary half morocco. Travel log of a round-trip from Le
Havre to Lima, written in 1876 from February 26th to December 29th. The writer went aboard the "Batavia", commanded
by Henri Deglaire. He makes a daily report of his activities, the relationships with the other passengers and especially with
the captain and he frequently relates his dreams or nightmares reflecting his anxiety about his wife's loneliness.
$ 8 700
27. [MERCURE DE FRANCE]. -RELATION DE CE QUI S'EST PASSÉ À LA DÉFAITE DE L'ESCADRE DES VAISSEAUX
HOLLANDAIS, À TABACO, PAR L'ESCADRE DES VAISSEAUX DE SA MAJESTÉ, SOUS LE COMMANDEMENT DU COMTE
D'ESTRÉES, VICE-AMIRAL DE FRANCE : AVEC LA LISTE DES MORTS & DES BLESSEZ. A Paris, du Bureau d'Adresse,
1677. (Colophon). 1 vol. 8vo. Ancient boards. Very scarce publication, one of the “extraordinaires” of the “Mercure de
France”, published to relate the most remarkable events. The present text, numbered 49, relates the naval victory in Tobago
of the French lead by the Count d’Estrées (1624-1707) against the Dutch squadron of Jacob Binckes (1637-1677) who was
killed in this battle. Fine copy of this breathtaking relation of this battle contemporary of the Franco-Dutch War.
$ 1 100
28. MURET (CHARLES). [PANAMA CANAL]. -LE CANAL INTEROCÉANIQUE D’APRÈS LES DOCUMENTS OFFICIELS.
Paris, Ch. Delagrave, Editeur, Collection Muret, [1885]. Coloured plaster cast model (148 x 410 mm.), lithographed. 1
engraved map (457 x 360 mm.), handcolored. Scarce and striking plaster cast representation of the Panama Canal: one of
the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, that made it possible for ships to travel between the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in half the time previously required. This Cast relief is one of the first representation of this key
conduit for international maritime trade and the shorter, faster, safer route to the U.S. West Coast and to nations in and
along the Pacific Ocean allowed those places to become more integrated with the global economy. For the present plan, its
author, the French mathematician and surveyor Charles Muret, won a goldmedal from the World Exhibition in Antwerp in
1885. World Cat locates only one copy in libraries around the world, one in France. In 2010, this copy was on exhibit to at
the BnF (National French Library) as part of the exhibition: « Des trésors pour l’été, enrichissements remarquables de la
Bibliothèque nationale de France ». Fine condition of this scarce and exceptional item, depicting this project, achieved in
1914 by American engineers.
$ 12 800
29. SCHOELCHER (VICTOR). -COLONIES ÉTRANGÈRES ET
HAÏTI, RÉSULTATS DE L'ÉMANCIPATION ANGLAISE. Paris,
Pagnerre, 1843. 2 vols. 8vo. 1 folding map, tables in-text. Half
morocco (19th century). Scarce first edition of one of the major
works by the famous abolitionist Victor Schoelcher (1804-1893),
French humanitarian and statesman. Long involved in the
abolition movement, he presided over a commission that secured
the abolition of slavery in French territory (1848).The present
work is interesting for the history of islands such as Haïti, Jamaïca,
Cuba, etc. and an important step to the abolition of slavery in
France. Fine copy.
$ 4 000
30. SOLIS Y RIVADENEYRA (ANTOINE DE). -HISTOIRE DE LA CONQUESTE DU MEXIQUE, OU DE LA NOUVELLE
ESPAGNE PAR FERNAND CORTEZ, TRADUITE DE L'ESPAGNOL DE DOM ANTOINE DE SOLIS, PAR L'AUTEUR DE
TRIUMVIRAT. [CITRI DE LA GUETTE]. QUATRIÈME ÉDITION. Paris, Compagnie des Libraires, 1714. 2 vols. 12mo. 12
engraved plates (10 folding), 2 folding maps. Contemporary calf. Solis was invited to become secretary to Philip IV, and in
1666 was charged with the important function of 'cronista mayor', the historiographer for the Indies. His famous history of
Mexico is a great historical work with literary qualities that became immediately very popular. The present edition contains
nice maps and illustrations. Fine copy.
$ 1 100
31. TEMPSKY (GUSTAVUS-FERDINAND VON). -MITLA : A
NARRATIVE OF INCIDENTS AND PERSONAL ADVENTURES ON A
JOURNEY IN MEXICO, GUATEMALA, AND SALVADOR IN THE YEARS
1853 TO 1855. London, Longman, Brown, Green, Longmans &
Roberts, 1858. 1 vol. 8vo. 14 lithographed plates (5 hand-coloured, 1
double page), 1 lithograph illustration, 1 folding map hand-coloured in
outline. Original publisher's cloth. First edition. Gustavus-Ferdinand von
Tempsky left his country at the age of 18 to come to the Mosquito Coast
to lead a life of adventure. He mined in the California gold-fields,
unsuccessfully, and returned to Nicaragua to resume his life there. It is
his long trip back through Mexico and Guatemala that he wrote about in
his book: Mitla (Zapotec ruins outside Oaxaca, Mexico). The beautiful
illustrations are after the author's watercolours and drawings. Fine copy.
$ 1 600
32. [VARGAS Y PONCE (JOSÉ DE)]. -RELACION DEL ULTIMO
VIAGE AL ESTRECHO DE MAGALLANES DE LA FRAGATA DE S.M.
SANTA MARIA DE LA CABEZA EN LOS ANOS DE 1785 Y 1786.
Madrid, MDCCLXXXVIII, por la viuda de Ibarra, Hijos y
Compania. 2 vols. 4to. Frontispiece portrait of Magellan, 5 folding
maps, pp. 71-74 (vol. I) and p. 98 (vol. II) folding. Contemporary half
calf. First edition, complete with the rare Supplement, of this work:
account of the Don Antonio de Cordoba's travels to Magellan Strait,
written by the royal historiographer Vargas y Ponce. The captain had to
find out if it was still interesting for Spanish sailors to use the passage.
Fine copy.
$ 6 000
Asia
33. AKISATO RITO. [SHUNCHÔSAI NOBUSHIGE (T AKHERA) DESSINATEUR]. -[MIYAKO MEISHO ZUE]. MIYAKO-MEI-SHO. DZU-YÉ. ECRIT PAR
UN NOBLE SUGAHARA TAME-TOSHI-KIYO. DESSINÉ PAR TAKIHARA SHUNCHOSAI.
Kyoto, 1780 (1786). 6 vols. 4to. Original wrappers with original title-slips present
(French titles added in manuscript on upper covers). First edition. Comprehensive
description of the famous sites of the Imperial capital two years before its destruction by
the great fire of 1788, profusely illustrated by Takehara Shunchôsai. Fine copy. $ 4 700
34. [CHINESE FURNITURE CATALOGUE]. -BLACKWOODWARE NG
SHEONG CANTON. [GUANGDONG WU CHANG SUAN ZHI JIA SI]. [Canton, sans
nom, ca. 1907]. 1 vol. 4to. 581 illustrations. Original pictorial boards (rebacked,
modern endpapers). Only edition of this trade catalogue illustrating 581 items of
furniture ranging from elaborate cabinets to small tables, chairs and stools, title with
stamp of Steger & Co. of Canton. Only one copy (McGill) recorded on WorldCat. Fine
copy.
$ 4 300
35. DU HALDE (JEAN-BAPTISTE). -DESCRIPTION GEOGRAPHIQUE, HISTORIQUE,
CHRONOLOGIQUE, POLITIQUE, ET PHYSIQUE DE L'EMPIRE DE LA CHINE ET DE LA
TARTARIE CHINOISE, ENRICHIE DES CARTES GENERALES ET PARTICULIERES DE CES
PAYS, DE LA CARTE GENERALE & DES CARTES PARTICULIERES DU THIBET, & DE LA
COREE. La Haye, Henri Schueurleer, 1736. 4 vols. 4to, 53 plates (I. 21 maps and
plans - 2 folding ; II. 24 plates - 11 folding - 1 folding plan ; III. 5 plates - 4 folding - 2 folding plans). Contemporary half calf.
Second edition of this work, compiled by the Jesuit J.-B. Du Halde, from published and unpublished reports and letters of
Jesuit missionaries in the Orient, which influenced all of Europe. Some of the engravings by J. C. Philips after A. Humblot,
others by Humblot after J. van de Spyk, one by Philippe van Gunst, most unsigned. Woodcut and type ornament head- and
tailpieces and woodcut initials throughout. Fine copy.
$ 18 200
36. GUIGNES (CHRÉTIEN-LOUIS). -DICTIONNAIRE CHINOIS, FRANÇAIS ET LATIN, PUBLIÉ D'APRÈS L'ORDRE DE SA
MAJESTÉ L'EMPEREUR ET ROI NAPOLÉON LE GRAND ; PAR M. DE GUIGNES, RÉSIDENT DE FRANCE À LA CHINE,
ATTACHÉ AU MINISTÈRE DES RELATIONS EXTÉRIEURES, CORRESPONDANT DE LA PREMIÈRE ET DE LA TROISIÈME
CLASSE DE L'INSTITUT. A Paris, de l'Imprimerie impériale, 1813. 1 vol. folio. Ancient half vellum. First edition of this
important work, the first dictionary of this kind published in France and an important work in the development of Western
scholarship on China. Although given no credit in the book, the dictionary is actually a re-edit of work compiled by the
Franciscan friar, Basilio de Glemona Brollo (1648-1704) during his thirty years of missionary work in China in the
seventeenth-century. His work was considered among the finest of the Missionary lexicons. Chretien-Louis-Joseph de
Guignes (1759-1845), listed on the title-page as the sole author, was in fact only responsible for the editing and the French
translations of the ideograms. The dictionary is an impressive piece of typography containing over 13,000 woodcut Chinese
characters. Fine copy.
$ 12 100
37. KRASCHENINNIKOFF (STEPHAN PETROVITCH). -HISTOIRE ET DESCRIPTION DU KAMTCHATKA.
CONTENANT I. LES MOEURS & LES COUTUMES DES HABITANTS DU KAMTCHATKA. A Amsterdam, chez Marc
Michel Rey, 1770. 2 vols. 12mo. 2 folding maps and 7 plates. (Preface of vol. I missing). Original calf. French edition
translated by Eidous. P. Krasheninnikoff (1713-1755) who
took part in the second scientific expedition supervised by
Gmelin in Siberia and the only member of the team to reach
Kamtschatka. Fine copy.
$ 2 700
38. MAFFEI (GIOVANNI PIETRO). -RERUM A
SOCIETATE JESU IN ORIENTE GESTARUM VOLUMEN,
CONTINENS Cologne, G. Calenius, 1574. 1 vol. 8vo.
Woodcut vignette on title, several large historiated woodcut
initials, 5-pages of woodcut Japanese characters.
Contemporary limp vellum. Fourth expanded edition. One
of the most important compilations of letters relating to the
early Jesuit mission in the Far East between 1548 and 1571,
including 43 relating to Japan written by St. Francis Xavier
(two, one of which dated November 1549 from Kagoshima
on his arrival in Japan), Frois, Almeida, Vilela and others
which provide invaluable details on Japanese culture and
customs. The “Specimen quoddam litterarum vocumque
Japonicarum” is illustrated with woodcut Japanese
calligraphy.
$ 7 400
39. NIEUHOF (JOAN). -HET GEZANTSCHAP DER NEÊRLANDTSCHE OOSTINDISCHE COMPAGNIE, AAN DEN GROOTEN TARTARISCHEN CHAM, DEN
TEGENWORDIGEN KEIZER VAN CHINA : Amsterdam, Jacob Van Meurs,
1670. 1 vol. folio. 1 engraved frontispiece, 1 portrait, 1 folding map, 34 doubleplates, 110 half-page engraved illustrations. Contemporary full vellum. Second
edition of Nieuhof's famous account describing the first embassy of the Dutch
East India Company to the court of the Emperor of China in the years 1655-57. It
is the most profusely illustrated work on China of the period, with plates showing
Chinese towns, Chinese life and animal- and plant life. Fine copy.
$ 8 700
40. [PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM CHINA.] -BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE FAR EAST.
KYOKUTO¯ TAIKAN. Tokyo : Kyokutô Tsû shinsha, Taishô 9 [ca. 1920]. 1
vol. oblong folio. 149 collotype plates, 9 double-pages panoramas (5 folding).
Original Japanese silk binding, labels in English and Japanese on upper cover.
Only
edition
of
this
remarkable collection of photographic views,
depicting China, Manchuria and islands of the
South Sea. The pictures depict antique buildings
and classical Chinese architecture, with references
to painters and poets, landscapes, cities (Shanghai,
Suzhou, Nanking, Yueyang, Yichang, Hsiaokushan,
Tayeh, Zhenjiang, Jiuiang, Hanyang, Guizhou,
Beijing), railways and harbours, etc. Fine copy of
this scarce work that offers very rich iconography of
China at the beginning of the 20th century.
$ 16 100
41. [TEIXEIRA (PEDRO)]. -RELACIONES DE PEDRO TEIXEIRA D'EL ORIGEN DESCENDENCIA Y SUCCESSION DE LOS
REYES DE PERSIA, Y DE HARMUZ, Y DE UN VIAJE HECHO POR EL MISMO AUTOR DENDE LA INDIA ORIENTAL
HASTA ITALIA POR TIERRA. En Amberes, en casa de Hieronymo Verdussen, 1610. 2 parts in 1 vol. 12mo.
Contemporary vellum. Scarce first edition. The only work registered by this author, a Portuguese converted Jewish, who
travelled by land during several years to Persia and the Orient visiting places such as Bagdad and Goa. He first travelled for
eighteen months through the Philippines, China, and parts of America, and, after spending two years at Lisbon, undertook a
scientific journey to India, Persia, and other countries. As a result he published that work, containing a history of the kings of
Persia according to Persian sources, as well as a fund of information on the Jews of Aleppo, Bagdad, and other cities, with
notes on Jewish monuments.
$ 14 800
42. THUNBERG (CARL-PETER). [LANGUES
(L.), LAMARCK (J. B.)]. -VOYAGES DE C. P.
THUNBERG, AU JAPON, PAR LE CAP DE BONNEESPÉRANCE, LES ÎLES DE LA SONDE, &C. A Paris,
chez Benoît Dandré, Garnery, Obré, An IV
[1796]. 4 vols. 8vo. 28 engraved plates, 1 engraved
portrait. Contemporary half sheep. Exceptionnal
work, one of the first source on Japan. Carl-Peter
Thunberg (1743-1828) is a naturalist, botanist, and
Swedish explorer, one of the famoust student of
Linneaus. This book is the result of the 15 months
in spent in Japan. Fine copy.
$ 6 000
43. TRIGAULT (NICOLAS). -HISTOIRE DE L'EXPEDITION CHRESTIENNE EN LA
CHINE, ENTREPRISE PAR LES PÈRES DE LA COMPAGNIE DE JESUS. Paris, P. Le
Mur, 1618. 1 vol. 8vo. 1 folding plate. Contemporary vellum. Rare first Parisian
edition (Latin OE: 1615) of one of the most important and earliest works on China
ever published in Europe. It contains the diary of the pioneer Jesuit missionary in
China, Matteo Ricci (1552-1610), edited and brought up-to-date by Ricci's successor to
the Chinese Mission, the Flemish Jesuit Nicolas Trigault (1577-1628). Trigault
translated Ricci's manuscript into Latin, and enlarged it with information from other
sources, such as the reports by the Portugese Jesuits Longobardo, Vagnone and
Cattaneo of their own stays in China, with extracts from the usual annual letters for the
years 1610 and 1611 by Father Sabatino de Ursis, etc., as well as by his own comments
and observations. When Trigault's book was published it shook Europe. Never before
had such well organized and accurate information about China been available. It
opened the door to China which had been closed since Marco Polo, and just like Ricci
had introduced Euclid to China, so his journal introduced Confucius to Europe. Ricci
and Trigault's account of China was undoubtedly most influencial on cultural life and
philosophical thought in Europe, opening up a new, mysterious and until then virtually
unknown world. Suddenly Europe became aware for the first time of the existence of
another highly civilized vast part of the globe. The French translation was made by
Trigault's nephew, Riquebourg-Trigault, physician to Philippe Guillaume of Orange.
Fine copy.
$ 12 800
44. YU ZAN MORI (DESIGNER). -SHIKI NO
YOSOII. Kyoto (Japan), Unsodo, 1903. 2 vols. 4to.
102 coloured woodcuts. Japanese fan-glued binding.
Rare Kimono Pattern Books containing woodblock
prints of kimono textile designs. Called “Zu-An-Cho”
in Japanese, these books were used to communicate
ideas between kimono dealers, their clients, and the
various craftsmen collaborating on kimono. The first
book contains 50 full-page and polychrome patterns
which are richly decorated; the second book presents
30 patterns following by a variety of many floral
generally circular-shaped motives. Attractive book.
$ 4 400
Egypt - Middle East
45. B.F.K. RIVES. -STEAMER POINT. [PHOTOS/ADEN]. (Ca 1880). 2 silver pictures (270 x 200 - 260 x 190 mm.)
forming a panoramic view of the Steamer Point in Aden, Yemen. Aden growing to become one of the busiest ports in the
world. On January 1839, the British East India Company landed Royal Marines at Aden to occupy the territory and stop
attacks by pirates against British shipping to India. The port lies about halfway between the Suez Canal, Bombay (now
Mumbai), and Zanzibar, which were all important British possessions. In the mid-19th century, it became necessary to
replenish coal and boiler water. Thus Aden acquired a coaling station at Steamer Point.
$ 950
46.
CASTELLAN
(ANTOINE-LAURENT).
-MŒURS,
USAGES,
COSTUMES DES OTHOMANS ET ABRÉGÉ DE LEUR HISTOIRE AVEC DES
ÉCLAIRCISSEMENTS TIRÉS D’OUVRAGES ORIENTAUX ET COMMUNIQUÉS
M. LANGLES. Paris, Nepveu, 1812. 6 vols. 16mo. 72 handcoloured engraved plates. Contemporary full calf. First edition of this
beautiful work richly illustrated with detailed hand-coloured full-page
engravings depicting scenes, Ottoman’s costumes, portraits, weapons,
tools, musical instruments etc. Castellan gives an elaborate account of the
history, emperors, people, religion, arts and professions, richly illustrated.
The quality of the colouring is variable, and for the present copy is
remarkable. With a richer and subtler pallet than most copies, the artist
achieved the finest resulta, enhancing every detail and emphasizing the
beauty of the engravings. The French publisher Nepveu published a series
of books with similar descriptions of different countries and regions of the
world. Beautiful set.
$ 8 700
PAR
47. CHAMPOLLION-FIGEAC (JACQUES-JOSEPH, DIT). -NOTICE
DE DEUX PAPYRUS EGYPTIENS EN ÉCRITURE DÉMOTIQUE, ET DU
RÈGNE DE PTOLÉMÉE-EPIPHANE-EUCHARISTE ; PAR M.
CHAMPOLLION-FIGEAC. A Paris, chez Dondey-Dupré, éditeurspropriétaire du Journal Asiatique, 1823. 1 vol. 12mo. 2 folding plates.
Publisher boards. Only separated edition of this scarce text, extract from
the Journal Asiatique, written by Champollion-Figeac. The demotic
writting designes the popular version of the Egyptian writting, in contrast
with the hierographic forms. The deciphering of the demotic form was the
first step to the comprehension of the hieroglyphs. Fine copy.
$ 650
48. [CLAUSTRE (A. DE) - CERCEAU (J-A. DU)].
-HISTOIRE DE THAMAS KOULI-KAN, NOUVEAU ROI DE PERSE.
OU HISTOIRE DE LA DERNIÈRE RÉVOLUTION DE PERSE ARRIVÉE
EN 1732. Paris, Briasson, 1742. 1 vol. 12mo with 1 frontispiece,
1 folding map. Contemporary calf. First edition of this history of the
Persian King Thamas Kouli-Kan or Nader Chah, published
anonymously. Nadir Chah (1688-1747) was a member of the Afshar
tribe and is generally considered as one of the greatest of all rulers
of Persia. Engraved frontispiece of Thamas Kouli-Kan by Mathey
and engraved folding map of Persia and the states of the Mogol.
Fine copy.
$ 3 600
49. DROUVILLE (GASPARD). -VOYAGE EN PERSE FAIT EN
1812 ET 1813. Paris, Librairie Nationale et Etrangere, 1825. 2
vols. 8vo. 60 lithograph. plates hand-colored (6 folded) and 1 folded
map. Contemporary cardboard binding. Fine illustrated account of
travels in Persia, including many costume plates and interior scenes.
According to Wilson, the book was published in St. Petersburg
twice in 1819, one with colored plates, the other without. Due to
popularity, in 1825 the version with the colored plates was
expanded and republished in Paris, with only 150 copies in the
colored version. This is a copy of that color edition, including 60
plates, in which 6 are folding. A later Paris edition was published in
1828, also labelled second edition, but with only 8 plates. Fine copy.
$ 3 800
50. GOUJON (JACQUES). -HISTOIRE ET VOYAGE DE LA TERRE SAINTE, OÙ TOUT CE QU'IL Y A DE PLUS
REMARQUABLE DANS LES SAINTS LIEUX, EST TRES-EXACTEMENT DESCRIT. A Lyon, chez Pierre Compagnon &
Robert Taillandier, 1671. 1 vol.
4to. 1 folding map, 16 plates.
Contemporary calf. Second edition
of this scarce work, richly
illustrated, an account of a travel in
the Holy Land, by Jacques
Goujon. Goujon travelled twice in
the Holy Land, the first time in
1636 for a crusade, and in 1666, as
a
"Commandant
du
SaintSépulcre", staying in Jerusalem
during three years. Fine copy.
$ 5 100
51. HADJ IBRAHIM IBN
BARBAR
ZADA.
[ALJAZULI.
SULAYMAN
(MUHAMMAD IBN)]. [DALA'IL AL
KHARAYRAT].
[MANUSCRIT].
th
Turquey, 18 century. 1 vol.
12mo. Illuminated manuscript, 2
miniatures
(Medina,
Mecca).
Contemporary red morocco.The
Sals’il al-Khayrat is one of the most
popular prayers books of Muslim
tradition. Fine condition.
$ 25 000
52. METOSCITA (PETRO). -INSTITUTIONES LINGAE ARABICAE EX DIVERSIS ARABUM MONUMENTIS COLLECTAE, &
AD QUAMMAXIMAM FIERI POTUIT BREUITATEM, ATQUE ORDINEM REVOCATAE. Romae, Apud Stephanum
Paulinum, 1624. 1 vol. 8vo. The pagination runs in the reverse (Arabic) order. Contemporary vellum. First edition. Petro
Metoscita (al-Matushi), a Maronite from Cyprus, was one of the first pupils of the Maronite College in Rome and joined the
Society of Jesus in 1597. He composed this elementary grammar in Latin to assist the teaching of Arabic. On p. 227 "we find
one of the first examples of a classical Arabic poem quoted and translated" (Smitskamp). Fine copy.
$ 3 400
53. NEWMAN (MARY-ANNA). -TRAVELS
IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. Leominster, 1904. 1 vol. 4to. 192 tapuscripted
ll. 18 illustrations. Contemporary quarter blue morocco. Unique copy of this account of an honeymoon in Mediterranean,
from February until April 1887. Mary-Ann kept a manuscript during the journey, and her husband decided to make it print
for their 41st anniversary. “Presented to Mary Anna
Newman by her loving husband on the anniversary of
our wedding day, in grateful acknowledgement of forty
one years of happy married live. Henry Stanley
Newman., Buckfield, Leominster, 20th August 1904”.
They travelled in Italy, Egypt, Holy Land and Greece.
$ 5 100
54. TAVERNIER (JEAN-BAPTISTE). -LES SIX
VOYAGES, EN TURQUIE, EN PERSE ET AUX INDES,
PENDANT L'ESPACE DE QUARANTE ANS, & PAR
TOUTES LES ROUTES QUE L'ON PEUT TENIR. Rouen,
Eustache Herault, 1713. 6 vols. 12mo. 59 engraved
plates (46 folding + 1), 4 maps and 3 illustrations.
Contemporary glazed calf. Scarce edition from Rouen
of one of the main account of a travel in Orient by JeanBaptiste Tavernier who spent more than 30 years as a
tradesman in Turkey, Persia, India, and other asiatic
countries. The iconography of the present work, is
famous for it was used to illustrate other travel accounts
in the same countries. Fine copy.
$ 6 000
Africa
55. [BOULET (ABBÉ)]. -HISTOIRE
DE L'EMPIRE DES CHÉRIFS EN AFRIQUE. Paris, Prault père, 1733. 1 vol. 12mo
with 2 folding plates. Bookplate. Contemporary calf, red morocco label. First edition of this important work about the
history of Morocco. The book is composed of a historical and a geographical study. Fine copy.
$ 4 300
56. JANNEQUIN (CLAUDE). -VOYAGE DE LYBIE AU ROYAUME DE SENEGA, LE LONG DU NIGER, AVEC LA
DESCRIPTION DES HABITANS QUI SONT LE LON DE CE FLEUVE, LEURS COÛTUMES & FAÇONS DE VIVRES: LES
PARTICULARITÉS LES PLUS REMARQUABLES DE CES PAYS. A Paris, chez Charles Roüillard, M. DC. XLVIII. (1643).
1 vol. 12mo. 18th century calf. First edition of this account by Claude Jannequin who travelled in Libya from 1637 until
1639. In this expedition, the French set up for the first time in Senegal. « Lambert and Jannequin ascended the Senegal as
far as Terrier Rouge, where they traded for gum, gold and pepper. Treaties were concluded with the brak of the Walo and
the damel of the Cayor » (Howgego I, p. 604). Fine copy.
$ 10 500
57. LOBO (RÉVÉREND PÈRE JÉRÔME). LE GRAND (PRIEUR). -VOYAGE
HISTORIQUE D'ABISSINIE, DU R.P. JEROME LOBO DE LA COMPAGNIE DE JESUS .
A Paris & à La Haye, chez P. Gosse & J. Neaulme, MDCCXXVIII (1728). 1
vol. 4to. 1 engraved frontispiece, title in red and black, 2 folding maps. Scarce first
French edition. The work was translated from a manuscript Joachim Le Grand
possessed. It is illustrated with 1 frontispiece engraved by Cochin and with 2 maps of
East Ethiopia and of Abyssinia. Portuguese Jesuit (1593-1678), Geronimo Lobo
reached Ethiopia in 1625, while the Emperor of this country just turned catholic. He
stayed there until 1634 when Jesuits were expelled. The present book is the result of
his experience in the country. Fine copy.
$ 3 400
58. LOYER (GODEFROY). -RELATION DU VOYAGE DU ROYAUME D’ISSYNY,
CÔTE D’OR, PAÏS DE GUINÉE, EN AFRIQUE. Paris, Arnoul Seneuze et JeanRaoul Morel, 1714. 1 vol. 12mo. 1 frontispiece, 7 plates. 19th century calf. First
edition of this very scarce account by a Dominican missionary in Guinea. According
to Numa Broc: “The best account in French for this country”. The account is
interesting for its anthropological dimension but also because it was a country that
French wanted to use for trade. Fine copy.
$ 7 800
59. SOUCHU DE RENEFORT (URBAIN DE). -RELATION DU PREMIER
VOYAGE DE LA COMPAGNIE DES INDES ORIENTALES EN L'ISLE DE
MADAGASCAR OU DAUPHINE. PAR MR. SOUCHU DE RENEFORT, SECRÉTAIRE DE
L'ETAT DE LA FRANCE ORIENTALE. A Paris, chez François Clouzier, au Palais,
à l'image Nostre-Dame, M. DC. LXVIII. (1668). 1 vol. 12mo. Contemporary
full vellum. Scarce first edition of the first report on the official expedition of four
ships sent by the French East Indies Company in 1665 to take possession of the
island of Madagascar.Fine copy.
$ 4 300
Naval Explorations - Tahiti
60. ARAGO (JACQUES ETIENNE VICTOR). -SOUVENIRS D'UN AVEUGLE, VOYAGE AUTOUR DU MONDE PAR M. J.
ARAGO, OUVRAGE ENRICHI DE SOIXANTE DESSINS ET DE NOTES SCIENTIFIQUES. Paris, Hortet et Ozanne,
Éditeurs, 1839. 4 vols. 8vo. 2 portraits, 60 lithographed plates. Contemporary half sheep. First edition in that expanded
and richly illustrated forme of the Arago's circumnavigation account. The Uranie, on which Arago boarded as draughtman,
traveled to Australia, Hawaï, Tonga, Brazil, etc. Fine copy nicely bound.
$ 2 700
61. BLIGH (LIEUTENANT WILLIAM). -RELATION DE L’ENLÈVEMENT DU NAVIRE LE BOUNTY. A Paris, chez
Firmin Didot, Libraire, rue Dauphine, et se trouve à Amsterdam, chez Gabriel Dufour, Libraire, 1790. 1 vol. 8vo.
3 folding maps. First French edition of Bligh's own account of the mutiny on the Bounty, the most notorious incident in
maritime history. This publication predates Bligh's full account of the voyage by two years. Bligh was anxious to have an
account of the mutiny itself available to safeguard his own reputation and in order to present copies to the Lords of the
Admiralty before the court-martial of the mutineers, to absolve him from blame. Fine copy.
$ 3 400
62. [BONARD (AMIRAL LOUISADOLPHE), BRUAT (AMIRAL ARMANDJOSEPH),
HAMELIN
(AMIRAL
FERDINAND-ALPHONSE),
POMARE
IV]. -[LIVRE DE BORD DE LA FRÉGATE
L'URANIE. CAMPAGNE DE TAHITI. / LOG
BOOK OF THE FRIGATE URANIE.
CAMPAIGN OF TAHITI.] 1843-1847. 1
vol. folio. [129] ll. - [7] bl. - [4] ll.
Contemporary half vellum. 15 appended
items. 12 complementary documents from
the contemporary press. An original
document of capital interest for the history
of Tahiti and the archipelago of the Society
Islands: the precious log of the frigate
Uranie. It recounts all of her Polynesian
campaign (1843-47) under the orders of
Captain Louis-Adolphe Bonard (18051867). The log is augmented with important handwritten and printed appended items. This log, very readable, is more than
an account of daily navigation. Each event is related in great details, most of the official acts from French and local
authorities are transcribed. The Uranie, her captain and her crew were the main actors of the events leading to the
restoration of the French protectorate on the island. The wealth of the information in the log and the annexed pieces make
of this amazing document a great first hand historical source, shining a new light on the history of Tahiti and the French
presence in the archipelago.
$ 64 500
63. COURTANVAUX (FRANÇOIS CÉSAR LETELLIER,
MARQUIS DE). -JOURNAL DU VOYAGE DE M. LE MARQUIS DE
COURTANVAUX, SUR LA FRÉGATE L'AURORE. A Paris, de
l'Imprimerie Royale, M DCCLXVIII (1768). 1 vol. 4to. 1
frontispiece depicting the Aurore, 5 folding plates (1 map).
Contemporary calf. Fine copy of this account of an important
practical trial to perfect a method of measuring longitude. The
present work is his report of a voyage in the frigate L’Aurore - a
vessel that Courtanvaux fitted out at his own expense to allow an
accurate daily assessment for the prize offered by the Academie for
the first successful method of measuring longitude). The main
contender assessed was the “Horloger du Roi”, Pierre Le Roy, who
invented a completely original marine chronometer in the 1750's,
which he perfected over the next decade and presented to Louis XV
in 1766. In 1767 Le Roy entered his machine, which "embodied all
the principles upon which later marine chronometers were
constructed" (Norman), in the Academie's competition. The present
voyage between Le Havre and Amsterdam was the first practical trial
to which it was subjected. Le Roy was awarded a double prize in
1768, for his chronometer and for his memoir describing it. Fine
copy.
$ 6 700
64. [DURRET (SIEUR DE)]. -VOYAGE DE MARSEILLE À LIMA, ET DANS LES AUTRES LIEUX DES INDES
OCCIDENTALES. Paris, J-B. Coignard, 1720. 2 parts in 1 vol. 12mo, 5 folded plates. Contemporary sheep. First edition.
A travel account to South America, with descriptions of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Panama, Guyana,
Guadeloupe, Martinique and more. The author was a patriot seeking to advance the cause of French colonialism. Fine
copy, complete with its 5 folding plates.
$ 2 400
65. [FLEURIEU (CHARLES PIERRE
CLARET)].
-DECOUVERTES
DES
FRANÇOIS EN 1768 & 1769, DANS LE
SUD-EST DE LA NOUVELLE-GUINÉE. A
Paris, de l'Imprimerie Royale, 1790. 1
vol. 4to. 12 plates. Contemporary half calf.
First edition of this account by Fleurieu,
French explorer and politician, one of the
most famous hydrographers of the 18th
century. The purpose of the present book,
presented to the French Academy of
Science in 1790, was to ensure
Bougainville’s and Surville’s rights against
some English sailors’ claims for the
discovery of some islands. Fine copy.
$ 7 800
CAYENNE
ET LES
ILES
DES
66. FROGER (FRANÇOIS). -RELATION
D'UN VOYAGE DE LA MER DU SUD,
DÉTROIT
DE
MAGELLAN, BRÉSIL,
ANTILLES. Amsterdam, L'Honoré et Chatelain, 1715. 1 vol. 12mo. 18th century
paperboard. New edition of this travel account, which was frequently reissued. François Froger (1676-1715) French engineer
and cartographer, boarded in 1695 on a boat from a six ships squadron commanded by de Gennes to established a colony
in the Strait of Magellan area. From this travel he brings back the first accurate map of Rio, and a lot of informations on
different topics, richly illustrated with his own drawings. Gripping book of the first official French travel to the Strait of
Magellan.
$ 4 400
67. [JUSTEL (HENRI)]. -RECUEIL DE DIVERS VOYAGES FAITS
EN AFRIQUE ET EN L'AMERIQUE QUI N’ONT POINT ESTE ENCORE
PUBLIEZ, CONTENANT L’ORIGINE, LES MŒURS, LES COUTUMES &
LE COMMERCE DES HABITANTS DE CES DEUX PARTIES DU
MONDE.
AVEC DES TRAITEZ CURIEUX TOUCHANT LA HAUTE
ETHYOPIE, LE DEBORDEMENT DU NIL, LA MER ROUGE, ET LE
PRÊTE-JEAN. Paris, Louis Billaine, 1674. 1 vol. 4to. 12 engraved
plates and 7 maps. Ccontemporary calf. First edition of one of the
most important French travels' collection, gathering 10 texts, 5 of
them being written by Jesuits, or connecting with Jesuit missions. Its
compiler, Henri Justel, was a Protestant scholar and bibliophile who
served as Secretary to Louis XIV before he fled to England at the
time of the Revocation of the Edit de Nantes (1685), becoming
Keeper of the King's Library at St. James. The collection includes
travel accounts relating to Africa, the Caribbean, and the English
colonies in North America, some never before printed, others
translated into French from the English or the Portuguese. In his
preface Justel explains that he had the accounts printed in the order
in which copy arrived from the translators - hence the peculiar order
of the book, often readjusted by later binders. This copy, still in its
first binding, retains the original order. The Ligon is illustrated with
plates of Caribbean plants and fruits, scenes of native life, and
pottery ; maps of Barbados, Jamaica, Abyssinia and a map of
Maryland, Virginia, and the east coast of North America, engraved
by R. Michault after the map in the 1672 edition of Blome. 12
engraved plates including 3 folding plans of a sugar mill, 7 engraved
maps of which 6 folding; woodcut head- and tailpieces and initials.
An excellent copy of one of the rarest 17th century travels collection.
$ 13 400
68. LAPLACE (CAPITAINE CYRILLE PIERRE THÉODORE). LAUVERGNE (BARTHÉLÉMY), PÂRIS, SAINSON. [ATLAS HISTORIQUE] VOYAGE AUTOUR DU MONDE PAR LES MERS DE L'INDE ET DE CHINE EXÉCUTÉ SUR LA
CORVETTE DE L'ETAT LA FAVORITE. [Paris, Arthus Bertrand, Imp. de Casimir, 1833.] 1 vol. in-folio, historical atlas
only, 69 numbered plates on 72
(plates 54, 56 and 71 missing, 2
plates n°35). Contemporary half
sheep. Historical Atlas of the
captain
Laplace's
famous
circumnavigation,
with
the
illustrations by Lauvergne, Pâris
and Sainson. In May 1829,
Lieutenant Commander Laplace
(1793-1875) was appointed to
command two scientific expeditions
in austral seas, in order to protect
French trade. La Favorite left
Toulon in 1829 and came back in
1832.
This
expedition
was
successful and collected a lot of
new knowledge. In addition to the
scientific interst, this atlas presents
an aesthetic dimension, according
to Sabin: "perhaps the finest series
of plates of any picturesque
voyage". Among them: Réunion,
Maurice,
Singapore,
Manille,
Sydney or Rio. Fine copy.
$ 16 800
69. MONTAGNE (LOUIS). [CHARCOT (COMMANDANT, JEAN-BAPTISTE)]. -[L’EXPÉDITION POLAIRE DU
"POURQUOI-PAS ?" DE 1931. ORIGINAL SKETCH BOOK]. "Pourquoi-Pas ?", 1931. 1 vol. plano. [7] ll. Illustrated with 14
original drawings (2 watercolours, 11 charcoal drawings, 1 coloured pastel) signed or with monogram or the artist's workshop
stamp. Quarter cloth. Remarkable set, one of the most important collection of original drawings by Louis Montagné, made
during this campaign of the "Pourquoi-Pas ?" lead by Charcot to North Pole in 1931. Jean-Baptiste Charcot (1867-1936),
physician and explorer is one of the most
important actors of the polar exploration. From
1930, he starts setting up the “International polar
year”, this was the purpose of the expedition of
1931, when he makes contact with the local
authorities to settle a mission in Scoresby Sund.
Louis Montagné (1879-1960) already was a
known artist when he takes part to this
expedition, his works were exhibited in famous
French Museum, and he already travelled for his
painting, but this arctic journey is one of the
most amazing he made. The drawings gathered
in the present set are remarkable; they depicted
the members of the crew in their activities, as the
telegraph operator, and of course, Charcot
himself, giving an idea of the atmosphere of the
“Pourquoi-pas?”, and also striking landscapes
two of them in watercolours. A big plate (450 x
604 mm.) gives 16 portraits in coloured pastel, of
Eskimo. The BnF keeps a picture of Charcot
and Montagné, when Charcot visited an
exhibition of Montagné’s works in Paris, in 1932.
Exceptional set, in fine condition.
$ 20 200
70. PARRY (WILLIAM EDOUARD), TRADUIT PAR L’AUTEUR DE QUINZE JOURS À LONDRES. -VOYAGE FAIT EN 1819
ET 1820, SUR LES VAISSEAUX DE S.M.B., L'HECLA ET LE GRIPPERS. Paris, Librairie des Gide Fils, 1822. 1 vol. 8vo. 2
folding handcoloured maps. 19th half red calf. First French edition of this account of one of the most important travel in
Arctic. It shows that the Strait of Lancaster opens a way to the West, and reveals the complexity of this sea way through the
islands maze. Fine copy.
$ 2 150
Maritime
71. DESROCHES (NICOLAS). -DICTIONNAIRE DES TERMES
PROPRES DE MARINE PAR MR. DESROCHES OFFICIER DES
VAISSEAUX DU ROY. A Paris, chez Amable Auroy, rüe S.
Jacques ; à l’image S. Jerôme, attenant la fontaine S. Severin,
M.DC.LXXXVII. (1687). 1 vol. 8vo. 21 engraved plates (2 in
frontispiece, 1 title, 18 pavilion plates). Contemporary calf. First
edition of this scarce work: the first French dictionary of nautical
terms dedicate to the Comte de Toulouse, French Admiral.
Desroches's (who were ship captain in 1693) enterprise, is relevant
given the political context of the second half of 17th century, when
is expressed the wish to regulate French language, and to make its
Navy the first in Europe. Fine copy of this reference work.
$ 6 000
72. -ETAT DE LA MARINE. ANNÉE 1783 - WITH :
ALMANACH DES COLONIES ANNÉE 1783. Paris, Imprimerie
d'Houry, 1783. 1 vol. 16mo (84 pp. on 88: 2 ll. of table missing).
Contemporary full red morocco. Rare and precious set of 2 little 2
almanacs containing information on the Navy, the colonies and the
young American independent. The book contains a calendar for
the year 1783, the general list of officers of the Navy (Guard
admirals), officers of the port, stewards, engineers, manufacturers of
France and colonies, and members of Academy Royal Navy.
Bound with Colonial Almanac for the year 1783. Fine copy in red
morocco.
$ 1 300
73. GAIL (PIERRE). -[MANUSCRIT-CARNET D'UN ASSUREUR
MARITIME MARSEILLAIS] S.l. (Marseille), 1739-1741. 1 vol.
12mo. Vellum. Moving account of the activity of an insurance agent
of Marseille.
$ 2 000
74. LESCALLIER (DANIEL). -VOCABULAIRE DES TERMES DE
MARINE ANGLOIS ET FRANÇOIS, EN DEUX PARTIES. Paris,
Imprimerie Royale, 1777. 1 vol. 4to. 31 engraved plates from
Lescallier's drawings. Contemporary full sheep with royal arms.
First edition of this French-English dictionary in two columns with
illustrations at the end. This work is one of the sources of the great
Encyclopédie Méthodique de la Marine by Panckoucke.
Important French-English dictionary of naval terms.
$ 3 800
75. [MANUSCRIPT. SPANISH NAVY]. ZAPATTA
(ALONSO). -RAMO SEPARADO PARA LA VENTA DE LA
FRAGATA FRANCESA NOMBRADA EL MALABAR. [Espagne],
1793 (I.), 1830-1840. 4 manuscript documents. 2 folios (4 pp.
each). 2 4to : [4] pp. ; [28] ff. Interesting set of manuscript
documents, related to the case of the “Malabar”, French merchant
ship which travelled from Marseille and Toulon to the Caribbean
or India illegaly captured by the Spanish Navy. Scarce items in fine
condition.
$ 1 100
76. [MANUSCRIPT]. TOUBOULIE (P.). BATEAU
SAUVEUR. Brest, 26 juin 1827. 1 vol. 4to. [6] manuscript ll. (5
pp. bl.), 1 folding l.: ink drawing on tracing paper. Ancient
cardboards. Illustrated description of a new device of sea rescue,
by P. Touboulié, inventor of a licensed fire engine. He proposes
to rescue the shipwrecked sailor with a boat equipped with a
lantern, a bell, a whistle, supplies and layed out to allow the sailor
to sit, to fight back against the fishes and even sleep fearless. Fine
copy.
$ 1 600
77. OZANNE (NICOLAS-PIERRE). -MARINE
MILITAIRE OU RECUEIL DES
DIFFERENS VAISSEAUX QUI SERVENT À LA GUERRE, SUIVIS DES MANŒUVRES
QUI ONT LE PLUS DE RAPPORT AU COMBAT AINSI QU’À L’ATTAQUE ET LA
Paris, Chéreau, s.d. [vers 1780]. 1 vol. 8vo. 50 engraved
plates. Full morocco. Second print of this work entirely designed and engraved by
the famous navy painter: Nicolas Ozanne (1728-1811). It is made up of two parts:
the first dealing with ships and the second with naval tactics' manoeuvres. Fine
copy.
$ 2 400
DÉFENSE DES PORTS.
78. OZANNE (PIERRE-NICOLAS). -RECUEIL DE VAISSEAUX. 6ÈME CAHIER.
A Paris, chez Jean, [ca 1780]. 1 vol. oblong 8vo. Contemporary wrappers. 12
engravings depicting ships, from the Recueil de vaisseau by the famous Navy
painter Nicolas Ozanne. Fine copy.
$ 670
79. [ROUX (ANTOINE)]. -[CARNET D'ATELIER DESSINS ORIGINAUX /
SKETCH BOOK FROM THE ARTIST'S WORKSHOP]. 1790. Sans lieu, 1790. 1 vol.
oblong folio. [14] ll. with 20 original drawings (16 in pencil, 4 wash drawings).
Contemporary half vellum. Remarkable set of original drawings by the naval
painter Antoine Roux (1765-1835), the most famous of the dynasty. He was
famous for its ship’s portraits: 11 of them in the present set, most of them
belonged to the French Navy. Those pencil drawings are followed by some wash
drawings depicting Mediterranean landscapes and harbors (Toulon’s Baye).
Exceptional work.
$ 45 700
Military - Naval tactics
80. HELYOT, LIEUTENANT
D’ARTILLERIE.
-ORDRE DE
FRANCE,
BATAILLE QUE TENOIENT LES ARMÉES NAVALLES DE
D’ANGLETERRE ET DE
L’ANNÉE
HOLLANDE DANS LA MÉDITERRANÉE
1704, QUAND MONSEIGNEUR LE COMTE
TOULOUSE
EN
DE
REMPORTA LA VICTOIRE SUR LES ANGLAIS ET
HOLLANDAIS
MÉDITERRANÉE
ET
LES
OBLIGEA
À
ABANDONNER
ET REPASSER LE DÉTROIT.
LA
Sans lieu, 1704.
Exceptional original document that remained unknown to historians,
of major interest for the study of tactics of naval combat at the
beginning of the 18th century, depicting, in a plan more than six
metres long, the celebrated battle of Malaga. On August 24, 1704,
the French-Spanish fleet commanded by Louis Alexandre de
Bourbon, comte de Toulouse (1678 - 1737), natural son of Louis
XIV, faced the Anglo-Dutch coalition under Admiral George Rooke
(1650-1709), which just had taken Gibraltar. In full conflict of the
Spanish succession, the objective was to retake this strategic fortress
and to break the “lock” of the presence of the enemy fleet at the entrance of the Mediterranean. The battle took place off
the coast of Velez-Malaga, Andalusian port located North of Gibraltar. Historically, it is a unique case where a son of a king
of France had the command during a naval battle. Embellished with his arms bearing 3 fleurs-de-lis on a blue background,
the battleplan is most likely commissioned by the Comte de Toulouse intended to embody his victory. Drawn on paper with
watercolour and gouache, it is signed by the “lieutenant of artillery and of the bomb ketch Hélyot”, present at the battle on
board of the “Toulouse”, whose career can be found in the French Navy archives up to the rank of captain. This officer has
succeeded in creating a true masterpiece in terms of representing a naval battle, without any known equal in a public or
private collection, on account of its enormous dimensions and the precision of information given: each ship is placed in its
actual position on the line of battle, under sails and pavillions, respecting its proportions of hull and rigging. A work that,
because of its realism, is a forerunner of the works of portraitists of ships during the second half of the 18th century (the
brothers Ozanne, Antoine Roux, ...). An ink inscription below each ship details: the type of ship (vessel, frigate, store ship,
fire ship, galley, bomb ketch, hospital ship, ...), number of cannon and crew, and the name of her commander. In all, 194
ships are represented, among which 68 units for France + 24 galleys (including Spain), against 62 ships for England and 26
for the Dutch, as well as 14 very small ships scattered between the lines. A text placed on the right of the document gives a
total of 205 units (96 +109) and retraces the chronology of events as well as the organization of the fleets in 3 squadrons.
Malaga is at once the largest battle in terms of the number of ships of the whole 18th century, as well as a practical
demonstration of a line of battle. That arrangement, theorized about by admiral Anne de Tourville (1642-1701), and Paul
Hoste (1652-1700) in their treatise published in 1693, will remain the rule until the battles of the American War of
Independence. A document without equivalent because of the quality of its execution, its size and the importance of its
iconographic content for history, offering, for most of the ships represented, the only image having survived: when they were
nothing but names on registers, we find them here perfectly drawn, and in
full action. A work of major interest, fruit of the remarkable quality of
observation of an eyewitness of the battle who was Hélyot, with his
knowledge of all kinds of ships. An exhaustive work of documentation of all
elements of the battle and its outcome.
POR
81. HOSTE (PÈRE PAUL). -L'ART DES ARMÉES NAVALES, OU TRAITÉ
DES ÉVOLUTIONS NAVALES. Lyon, Bruysset, 1727 (L'Art des armées) Anisson, & Posuel, 1697 . 2 works bound in 1 vol. folio. Contemporary
full calf. Fine copy of this great treatise on naval tactics of the period setting
out the traditional code of practice of 'line of battle' maintained by the
sailing fleets. The aim was to establish a system of manoevring to gain an
advantage over the opponent by other methods than fighting. Theory is
explained by citing examples of famous naval actions such as Lepanto and
the famous sea battles of the Second Dutch War (1672-4). The manoevers
are demonstrated in 132 plates; the second-last engraving shows ships in
stormy weather, and a final plate depicts over forty naval flags for
communicating appropriate signals. The Jesuit Hoste (1652-1700) is the
first and principal writer on the subject of naval tactics, having made a
special study of mathematics applied to navigation. He was secretary to
Admiral de Tourville, the outstanding naval commander of Louis XIV,
taking part in several naval expeditions as a chaplain. An English version
was published as late as 1834. II: First edition of the author's scientific
treatise on shipbuilding comprising a marine vocabulary at the end. Hoste
taught mathematics at the Jesuit seminary in Toulon.
$ 15 500
82. [MANUSCRIPT : MARITIME]. -SIGNAUX DE LA LIGNE SÉMAPHORIQUE.
[1808]. 1 vol. 4to. [40] manuscript ll. Contemporary paperboards. Interesting
manuscript written few years after the introduction of the semaphore system,
great progress for naval signalling. It was under very precise rules, given in the
present manuscript. Fine condition.
$ 1 300
83. [MARITIME]. -DESCRIPTION D'UN SÉMAPHORE À L'USAGE DES SIGNAUX
DE CÔTE. [vers 1800]. 1 vol. 4to. 1 folding plate. Contemporary blue wrappers.
Scarce publication, illustrated with a large folding plate, with 7 figures, engraved
by E. Collin. Fine copy.
$ 600
84. [MARITIME]. -SIGNAUX POUR LES CÔTES DE FRANCE DEPUIS
FLESSINGUE JUSQU'À BAYONNE. A Boulogne, de l'Imprimerie de la
Marine, [ca. 1803-1805]. 1 vol. 12mo. 1 folding table. Contemporary wrappers.
Only edition of this document with naval instructions, which were established
according to the Cheyron du Pavillon's table system. Fine copy of this scarce work
(1 copy referenced by World Cat).
$ 1 300
85. [NAPOLEON IER]. MARET (HUGUES B.). -[ENSEMBLE DE CINQ
DÉCRETS IMPÉRIAUX PORTANT SUR LA GUERRE CONTRE L'ANGLETERRE]. 5
vols. 8vo. Five scarce booklets from the Napoleonic maritime administration,
contemporary with the war against England. The first deals with the organization
of the Navy boards, the four others: with the blockade against Great Britain, and
some instructions regarding the circulation of the ships. Fine set of important
official documents of an exciting historical period.
$ 2 000
86. TOURVILLE (ANNE-HILARION DE COTENTIN, CHEVALIER ET COMTE DE). -PRINCIPES ET EXERCICE EN
GENERAL DE TOUTES LES MANŒUVRES DES VAISSEAUX. Au Havre de Grace, chez la Veuve de Guillaume
Gruchet, Imprimeur & Marchand Libraire dans la Grande rüe, M. DCC. XXXI. (1731). 1 vol. 24mo. Ancient
boards. Very scarce work by the Admiral of Tourville (1642-1701), who asked Paul Hoste to publish his “Art des Armées
navales”, which is the base of French school of naval tactics, introducing the line of battle. The “Art des Armées navales”
was inspired by the present work by Tourville, composed in two parts. Fine copy.
SOLD
Nautical Sciences
87. BLONDEL DE SAINT AUBIN (GUILLAUME). -LE TRÉSOR DE LA
NAVIGATION DIVISÉ EN DEUX PARTIES. Au Havre de Grace, chez Jacques
Gruchet, Imprimeur & Libraire de Monseigneur le Duc de S. Aignan, & de
la Ville, 1673. 1 vol. 4to. Numerous wood engravings. Contemporary full vellum.
Fine copy of the extremely rare first edition of this French school book on
navigation, teaching on spherical geometry details and its application to navigation
and practice of seamanship. Only 1 copy appeared at auction during the last 40
years.
$ 9 100
88. BOUGUER (PIERRE) & LA
CAILLE (NICOLAS LOUIS, ABBÉ DE).
-NOUVEAU TRAITÉ DE NAVIGATION,
CONTENANT LA THÉORIE ET LA
PRATIQUE DU PILOTAGE. A Paris, chez
H.L. Guérin & L.F. Delatour, rue S.
Jacques, à S. Thomas d'Aquin, M.
DCC. LX.(1760). 1 vol. 8vo. 13 folding
plates (6 maps). Contemporary folding
calf. First edition of the summarized
version of Bouguer's work by La Caille.
Published for the first time in 1753,
Bouguer's very scholarly treatise maybe
wasn't accessible for simple pilots, so La Caille adapt it. Revised, the treatise was
reprint in 1760, 1769 and 1792. Fine copy in contemporary binding.
SOLD
89. DUHAMEL DU MONCEAU (HENRILOUIS). -ÉLÉMENS DE L'ARCHITECTURE NAVALE,
OU TRAITÉ PRATIQUE DE LA CONSTRUCTION DES
VAISSEAUX. A Paris, Jombert, (1758). 1 vol. 4to.
Engraved frontispiece, 11 engraved borders by Ozanne
and Chedel, 24 folding plates on 23 ll. Contemporary
full sheep. Second and best edition of this reference
work, very popular in the 18th century, the first which
treats shipbuilding matters in a scientific way (OE:
1752). Henri-Louis Duhamel du Monceau (1700-1782)
is one of the great scientific minds of the 18th century,
he produced an important work in different fields, and
especially in shipbuilding. Fine copy of this seminal and
major work for the history of French Navy.
$ 4 000
90. FOURNIER (GEORGES). -HYDROGRAPHIE CONTENANT LA THEORIE ET LA PRATIQUE DE TOUTES LES PARTIES
DE LA NAVIGATION. A Paris, Dupuis, (1667). 1 vol. folio. 1 folding plate, 1 table, numerous illustrations. Full calf.
Second and best edition of this famous “Hydrographie” by Fournier (1595-1652), the first naval Encyclopedia. Fournier was
a Jesuit priest, as a chaplain of the French Royal Navy he took part of the Thirty Years’ War, and acquired solid knowledge
in naval tactics and navigation technology. The present work’s publication is contemporary of the emergence of France as a
sea power due to Richelieu’s will. The work was very popular, so the first edition (1643) is out of print in 1666. Jean Dupuis
decides to publish the present edition which is the most complete: it was established on Fournier’s annotated copy, some
details on the famous plate depicting the Saint-Louis, were not on the first edition, and it is enhanced with a Scottish coastal
pilot. Fine copy of the of this capital work for the history of the Navy in 17th century.
$ 10 100
91. HERBIN DE HALLE (P.-ETIENNE). -DES BOIS PROPRES AU SERVICE DES ARSENAUX, DE LA MARINE ET DE LA
GUERRE. Paris, L'Huillier , 1813. 1 vol. 8vo. 40 plates. Contemporary quarter sheep. First edition of this treatise dealing
with exploitation and legislation of woods for the Navy. Illustrated with 32 coloured plates, 7 schemes, 1 folded plates. Only
one copy in the French libraries.
$ 2 400
92. MEDINA (PIERRE
DE).
-L'ART
CONTENANT TOUTES LES REIGLES, SECRETS, & ENSEIGNEMENS
CASTILLAN EN FRANÇOIS, AVEC AUGMENTATION &
ILLUSTRATION DE PLUSIEURS FIGURES & ANNOTATIONS, PAR NICOLAS DE NICOLAI, DU DAUPHINÉ, GEOGRAPHE DU
TRES-CHRESTIEN ROY HENRY II. DE CE NOM: & DEDIÉ À SA TRES-AUGUST MAIESTÉ. Rouen, 1607. 1 vol. 4to. 93
DE NAVIGUER
NECESSAIRES À LA BONNE NAVIGATION, TRADUICT DE
wood cuts. Ancient vellum. Scarce edition from Rouen of this famous navigation treatise: the first scientific work on this
subject. The Art of use must be read first, as the model of contemporary knowledge, such as translation, in maritime
language, a sort of Instauratio magna, in the style of Francis Bacon, whose frontispiece still remembered in 1628, the caravel
sailing towards the New World. Fine copy.
$ 10 100
Atlas and Maps
93. BELLIN (JACQUES-NICOLAS). -DESCRIPTION GÉOGRAPHIQUE DES ISLES
ANTILLES POSSÉDÉES PAR LES ANGLOIS. A Paris, de l'Imprimerie de Didot, M.
DCC. LVIII. (1758). 1 vol. 4to. Engraved title by Choffard, 13 engraved maps (8
folding, 1 hand-coloured), 10 engraved borders (9 views). Contemporary glazed calf. First
edition of this French atlas depicting the English possessions in the West Indies published
at the height of the Seven Years' War with England. The maps are drawn by Bellin (17031772), who was the first hydrographer of the French Royal Navy and depict, with a great
accuracy, Gulf of Mexico, Jamaica, Barbados, Antigua, the Virgin Islands, Bahamas,
Bermuda, etc. Fine copy in contemporary binding, of this naval intelligence atlas. $ 4 700
94. BONNE (RIGOBERT). -PETIT TABLEAU
FRANCE OU CARTES
AVEC "DESCRIPTION
ABREGÉE DE FRANCE". Paris, chez Lattre, 1764 / Paris, de l'imprimerie de Butard,
1764. 2 parts in 1 vol. 12mo. 1 engraved coloured title, 28 hand-coloured maps on
DE
LA
GEOGRAPHIQUES SUR TOUTES LES PARTIES DE CE ROYAUME.
double-page (I.). Contemporary full red morocco. Only edition of this charming pocket
atlas, with title + 28 maps nicely contemporary colouring and original morocco binding.
Bound with Description Geographique Abregee de la France. Fine copy.
$ 2 400
95. CORONELLI (PÈRE MARIA, VINCENZO). -MÉMOIRES HISTORIQUES &
GÉOGRAPHIQUES
DU ROYAUME DE
LA
MORÉE,
NEGREPONT & DES
PLACES
MARITIMES,
JUSQUES
À
THESSALONIQUE.
RECUEILLIS & ENRICHIES DES CARTES DES PAÏS &
DES PLANS DES PLACES, PAR P. M. CORONELLI,
GÉOGRAPHE DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE DE VENISE.
Amsterdam, Wolfgang, Waesberge, Boom, & van
Someren, 1686. 1 vol. 12mo. 42 engraved maps,
plates and plans on double-page. Contemporary calf.
First Dutch edition. A scarce edition and the first
printed in the Netherlands, a new translation from the
Italian text rather than a reprint of the French
translation by Barbin. It seems to have appeared in
octavo only, and not in folio as the other one. The
plates were also newly engraved for this edition. Fine
copy.
$ 7 100
96. [DESNOS (LOUIS)]. -ETRENNES UTILES ET
NÉCESSAIRES AUX COMMERÇANTS ET VOYAGUERS
OU INDICATEUR FIDÈLE. A Paris, chez le S. Desnos, 1775. 1 vol. 24mo. 158 hand-coloured maps (2 doubles).
Contemporary full morocco. Very attractive copy, contemporary hand-coloured, of this pocket atlas by Desnos depicting the
roads af France and adjacent countries. He published those atlas from 1773 to 1790. Fine copy nicely bound.
$ 1 600
97. DU CAILLE (LOUIS-ALEXANDRE), LATTRE (JEAN).
-ETRENNES GEOGRAPHIQUES ANNÉE 1761. ROYAUME DE FRANCE
DIVISÉ PAR GENERALITÉS SUBDIVISE PAR ELECTIONS DIOCÈSES
BAILLAGES &C. PAR L. A. DU CAILLE. GRAVÉ PAR LATTRÉ. A
Paris, chez Ballard Imprimeur du Roy, Rue S. Jean de Beauvais
a S. Cecile, [1761]. 1 vol. 16mo. [34] ll. (Engraved frontispiece and
title. 30 hand-coloured maps, Privilège). Contemporary full brown
morocco. Very nice copy of this little atlas with 30 maps finely
engraved and hand-coloured depicting the Kingdom of France. The
frontispiece is engraved by Tardieu from Poussin, and the title is
engraved by Choffard. Attractive copy in a contemporary morocco
binding, fresh colouring.
$ 1 500
98. GARCIA CUBAS (ANTONIO). ATLAS
PINTORESCO E HISTÓRICO DE LOS ESTADOS
UNIDOS MEXICANOS. Mexico, Debray Succ.,
1885. 1 vol. large folio, 13 chromolithographies
on double page. Publisher half green shagreen.
(Text vol. not present). First edition. This atlas is
regarded as one of the most beautiful colour-plate
books on Mexico. The work contains 13
chromolithographed plates, each with a
specialized map of Mexico surrounded by
vignettes corresponding to the map, such as
archaeology, botany, rivers, mining, volcanoes and
mountains, railroads, costumed ethnographic
types, etc. Antonio García y Cubas devoted
himself to the study of Mexican geography, history
and archaeology, publishing a succession of atlases
beginning in 1858. The Atlas pintoresco e
histórico de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos can be
said to be a culmination of his work in its beauty
and comprehensiveness. With title-page in tinted
lithography.
$ 11 400
99. LE ROUGE (GEORGE-LOUIS). -ATLAS NOUVEAU PORTATIF À L'USAGE DES MILITAIRES ET DU VOYAGEUR
CONTENANT 91 CARTES DRESSÉES SUR LES NOUVELLES OBSERVATIONS DÉDIÉ À MONSEIGNEUR LE COMTE DE
MAUREPAS, MINISTRE ET SECRÉTAIRE D'ETAT... Paris, Le Rouge, 1748. 1 vol. 4to. 4 engraved plates and 87 maps on
double-page spread. Contemporary calf. First edition of this uncommon world atlas, including many maps in contemporary
colours. Fine copy.
$ 13 500
100. MANESSON MALLET (ALAIN). -DESCRIPTION DE L'UNIVERS CONTENANT LES DIFFÉRENTS SYSTÈMES DU
MONDE, LES CARTES GÉNÉRALES & PARTICULIÈRES DE LA GÉOGRAPHIE ANCIENNE ET MODERNE. A Paris, Chez
Denys Thierry, 1683. 5 vols. 8vo. Plates and maps. Contemporary calf. Original edition of this monumental work of
geography realized by the French cartographer and engineer, Alain Manesson Mallet (1630-1706) whose encyclopaedic
work collects useful informations on history, geography and ethnology. Alain Manesson Mallet started his career as a soldier
in the army of Louis XIV, became a Sergeant-Major and an Inspector of Fortifications. This is his his major publication. He
also published : « Les Travaux de Mars ou l'Art de la Guerre” (1684). Fine copy.
$ 26 900
101.
[MANUSCRIPT].
-PORTULAN
DE
LA
MÉDITERRANÉE. Italie, sans
date, ca. fin 17ème siècle. 2
vols. 4to., folio. I. 552
manuscript pp., II. 9 manuscript
plans (510 x 690 mm.). Ancient
vellum. Exceptional document,
Italian manuscript written by a
sailor during his trips in
Mediterranean. This coastal
pilot describes: Malta, Sicilia,
Calabria, Spain South of France,
Elbe Island, Genoa gulf, Corse,
etc. It gives the anchorages,
specifics to get in harbors and
other useful information. The 9
manuscript plans, finely drawn,
depict
harbors
in
Mediterranean, and Atlantic
(Basque country); among them:
Civitavecchia, Livourne, Malte,
le port du Passage, Saint
Sébastien.
Remarkable
illustrated manuscript pilot, fine
condition.
$ 47 000
102. ORTELIUS (ABRAHAM). -L'EPITOME DU THÉÂTRE DE L'UNIVERS, NOUVELLEMENT RECOGNEU, AUGMENTÉ
ET RESTAURÉ DE MESSEURE GÉOGRAPHIQUE, PAR MICHEL COIGNET, MATHEMAT D'ANVERS. RELIÉ AVEC
"ADDITION À L'EPITOME DU PETIT THÉÂTRE D'ABRAHAM ORTELIUS..." Anvers, Joanris Keerberoii, 1602. 1 vol.
oblong 12mo. 123 maps. Contemporary vellum. Fine copy of this rare French pocket atlas: reprint by the mathematician
Michel Coignet, of A. Ortélius’ famous work, offering a priceless vision of the world at the end of the 16th Century.
$ 16 100
103. ORTELIUS (ABRAHAM). -THEATRE DE L'UNIVERS, CONTENANT LES CARTES DE TOUT LE MONDE. AVEC UNE
BRIEVE DECLARATION D'ICELLES. PAR ABRAHAM ORTELIUS. LE TOUT REVEU, AMENDÉ, & AUGMENTÉ DE PLUSIEURS
CARTES & DECLARATIONS PAR LE MESME AUTHEUR. M.D.XCVIII. A Anvers, de l'Imprimerie Plantinienne, pour
Abraham Ortel, autheur mesme de ce Livre, 1598. [Colophon]. 1 vol folio. Hand-coloured engraved title, handcoloured frontispiece portrait, 119 double-page handcoloured maps. Early 17th century reused gilted vellum. Third edition,
with the French text, of this monumental work by the great Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598), Dutch geographer. He started as
engraver and colourer at Plantin's, and encouraged by
Gerardus Mercator, he begined signing his own
works. The first edition of his atlas in 1570 counted
53 maps, inspired by many different sources, but each
of them were characteristic of Ortelius' manner, and
enhanced with a descriptive text which give the book
an unexampled unity of style. In 1575, Ortelius was
appointed Geographer of Philip II of Spain, and his
position gives him access to new and unpublished
informations. The present edition counts 42 more
maps than the princeps edition of 1572, and is also
enhanced with the supplement of 1585: so it gives the
engraved title, Ortelius' portrait, and 119 maps on
double page including the map of the world and those
of the four continents. Each plate is contemporary
hand-coloured in bright hues. Fine copy of this
amazing work, perhaps the one that better
encapsulates contemporary European knowledge of
the world.
POR
104. [MANUSCRIPT PLANS]. -TWO PLANS ON VELLULM, 17ÈME
SIÈCLE, ORLÉANS. [ca. 1688]. 2 manuscript plans
on vellum (530 x 620 et 530 x 710 mm.) ink drawn and handcoloured. Two nice plans depicting lands surrounding Orléans.
The first was made in 1688, according to Jean Fleury'notes. The second, on a thinner vellum, depicts an estate not far from
the side of the Loire, it certainly was made in
first half of the 17th century. Both are
interestingly captionned, and show vineyard.
Fine set.
$ 1 300
105. SANSON D’ABBEVILLE (NICOLAS,
GÉOGRAPHE DU ROY) -L'EUROPE, -L'ASIE, L'AFRIQUE, - L'AMÉRIQUE EN PLUSIEURS
CARTES ET EN DIVERS TRAITÉS DE
GÉOGRAPHIE ET D'HISTOIRE LÀ OÙ SONT
DÉCRIT SUCCINTEMENT ET AVEC UNE BELLE
MÉTHODE ET FACILE, SES EMPIRES, SES
PEUPLES, SES COLONIES, LEURS MOEURS,
LANGUES, RELIGIONS, RICHESSE, (...) ET CE
QU'IL Y A DE PLUS BEAU ET DE PLUS RARE
DANS TOUTES SES PARTIES ET DANS SES ÎLES.
Paris, chez l'autheur, 1683. 4 parts in 1 vol.
4to, engraved frontispiece and 62 coloured
maps. Ancient vellum. Rare copy containing the
four parts (one for each continent) by the
famous French cartographer Nicolas Sanson
d'Abbeville (1600-1667).
$ 20 200
Sciences and Technology
106. ALEMBERT (JEAN LE ROND D'). -RECHERCHES SUR LA PRÉCESSIONS DES EQUINOXES, ET SUR LA NUTATION
DE L'AXE DE LA TERRE, DANS LE SYSTÊME NEWTONIEN. PAR M. D'ALEMBERT, DES ACADÉMIES ROYALES DES
SCIENCES DE PARIS & DE BERLIN, & DE LA SOCIÉTÉ ROYALE DE LONDRES. A Paris, chez David l'aîné, Libraire,
rue S. Jacques, à la Plume d'or, MDCCXLIX (1749). 1 vol. 8vo. 4 folding plates. Contemporary calf. Scarce first
edition of d’Alembert’s (1717-1783) masterly work on the famous three-body problem, whose solution led him to further
researches in celestial mechanics and to calculate the precession of the equinoxes. This phenomenon designates the slow
change of direction of the earth’s gravitation axe. Following Newton’s researches, d’Alembert was the first to get numbered
results which matches to the observed motion of the earth. Fine copy nicely bound of this capital work.
$ 12 800
107. APIAN (PETER). -COSMOGRAPHIA, SIVE DESCRIPTION UNIVERSI ORBIS, PETRI APIANI & GEMMAE FRISII,
MATHEMATICORUM INSIGNIUM, IAM DEMUMINTEGRITATI SUAE RESTITUTA. Antiverpiae, apud Joan. Bellerum
(Typis Joan. Withagii), 1584. 1 vol 4to. Around 110 wood-cuts (5 with moveable parts), 1 folded map, tables.
Contemporary full vellum. Beautiful edition
of this famous work of Peter Apianus,
German astronomer and mathematician
(1495-1551) His present Cosmographia was
published for the first time in 1524. Petrus
Apianus developed his method to find
longitude by observing movements of the
moon - a method that was one of the first to
propose. The layout of the solar system he
exposes here is the Ptoleme’s system. The
book is illustated with many wood-cuts and
tables, and is famous for 5 illustrations with
moveable parts and the folding plate "Charta
Cosmographica" (p.72), one of the earliest
maps to show the full sweep of the east coast
of North America, it is also the first map to
show the Yucatan as a peninsula. Complete
and rare. Edition with the name of Bellerum
on the title, but shared with J. Verwithagen.
$ 16 100
108. ARCONS (CÉSAR D'). -LE SECRET DU FLUX ET REFLUX DE LA MER, ET
DES LONGITUDES DÉDIÉ À LA SAPIENCE ÉTERNELLE. Rouen, L. Maurry,
1655. 1 vol. 12mo. 12 schemes and 4 tables. Contemporary ivory vellum.
Original edition of this surprising treatise of César D’Arcons ( ?-1681), jurist,
engineer, physician, and lawyer but also scholar and theologian, who abandoned
a law career for the sea.
$ 3 400
109. BESSON (JACQUES). -IL THEATRO DE GL'INSTRUMENTI & MACHINE
DI M. IACOPO BESSONI. In Lione, Per Barth. Vicenti. Con Privilegio del
Rè. M D LXXXII. [Lyon, Barthélémy Vincent, 1582]. 1 vol. 4to. 1 engr.
frontispiece, 1 + 60 copper engravings. Contemporary vellum. First Italian
edition of this work (OE: 1571, Latin). The fine illustrations are by Jacques
Androuet du Cerceau and René Boyvin, and depicts many very different
inventions. Fine copy of this scarce Italian edition.
$ 9 100
COSTA (EMANUEL MENDES DA). -HISTORIA NATURALIS
BRITANNIAE, OR THE BRITISH CONCHOLOGY; CONTAINING
THE DESCRIPTION AND OTHER PARTICULARS OF NATURAL HISTORY OF
THE SHELLS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. London, printed for the
Author, Millan, B. White, Elmsley and Robson, 1778. 1 vol. folio. 17 hand110.
TESTACEORUM
colored engraved plates. Text in English and French on facing pages.
Contemporary calf, vellum corners. First edition, of this treatise by Emanuel
Mendes da Costa, member of the Imperial Caesarian Academy Naturae
Curiosorum and of the botanic Society of Florence. Scarce book, fresh copy.
$ 3 900
111. GLAUBER (JOHANN RUDOPH). -LA PREMIÈRE PARTIE DE L’ŒUVRE
MINÉRALE, OÙ EST ENSEIGNÉE LA SÉPARATION DE L’OR DES PIERRES À FEU, SABLE,
ARGILE, & AUTRES FOSSILES, PAR L’ESPRIT DE SEL CE QUI NE SE PEUT FAIRE PAR
AUTRE VOYE. COMME AUSSI UNE PANACÉE, OU MEDECINE UNIVERSELLE,
ANTIMONIALE, & SON USAGE. PAR JEAN RUDOLPHE GLAUBER. ET MISE EN FRANÇOIS
PAR LE SR DU TEIL. A Paris, chez Thomas Jolly, M DC LIX, 1659. Six parts in 1 vol.
8vo. 64, 48, 111 pp. (the three parts of the “Oeuvre minérale”), 22 (“La Teinture de l’or”),
63 (“Traité de la medicine universelle”), 64 (“La Consolation des navigants”).
Contemporary full calf. First French edition of these scarce texts by Glauber (1604-1670),
known to be the last of the alchemist and the first chemical engineers, and to have discover
the sodium sulfate, or “Glauber’s salt”. Fine copy.
$ 5 100
112. GROSIUS (HENNING GROSSE, DIT). -MAGICA SEU MIRABILIUM HISTORIARUM
DE SPECTRIS ET APPARITIONIBUS SPIRITUUM. Islebiae, (i.e. Eisleben): Cura, typis &
sumptibus Henningi Grosij, Bibli. Lips., 1597. 1 vol. 8vo. Contemporary full vellum.
First edition of this work, edited by the publisher Henning Grosse (1553-1621) from an
anonymous manusript, found in an anonymus library (Cf. preface, p. [11].). It contains
more than 900 stories: examples of miracles, witchcraft and devilry from ancient writters as
Apulee, Herodote, Appolonius, Cicero, and moderner as Trithémius, Grillandi, Wier,
Bodin, Della Porta. Scarce and uncommon
work.
$ 4 300
113. HARRISON (JOHN). -PRINCIPES DE
LA MONTRE DE MR HARRISON, AVEC LES
PLANCHES RELATIVES À LA MÊME MONTRE, IMPRIMÉS À LONDRES EN
1767 PAR ORDRE DE MRS. LES COMMISSAIRES DES LONGITUDES. [WITH]
EXTRAIT DE LA RÉPONSE DE MR JEAN HARRISON AUX REMARQUES ET
OBJECTIONS DE MONSIEUR MASKELYNE, SERVANT DE SUITE AUX
PRINCIPES DE LA MONTRE DE M. HARRISON. A Avignon, chez la Veuve
Girard & François Seguin, se vend à Paris, chez Jombert, Desaint,
Saillant, 1767 (Principes de la Montre) ; 1768 (Extrait de la Réponse).
1 vol. 4to. 7 folding plates with 15 figures. Antique half calf. First bilingual
edition of the "description of the famous solution to the centuries-old worldwide problem of finding the longitude" (Grolier, Horblit). In 1714, the Board
of Longitude offered a reward of £20 000 to anyone who could find a reliable
and accurate method for determining longitude at sea. In 1730 the
clockmaker John Harrison completed a manuscript describing some of
his chronometrial inventions, including a chronometer "accurate
enough to measure time at a steady rate aver long periods, thus
permitting the measurement of longitude by comparaison of local solar
time with an established standard time" (Norman). After numerous
attempts, Harrison succeeded in constructing a chronometer that was
both accurate and convenient in size. It was successfully tested on two
voyages to the West Indies in 1761 and 1764. After the successful trial
of this first device in 1737, the Board of Longitude had encouraged
him with a grant of £500. Following the two successful trials of his
fourth and best instrument, Harrison asked for the prize, but the Board
of Longitude hedged, insisting on a demonstration and full written
description of his invention. The demonstration took place on 22
August 1765, in the presence of the Royal astronomer Nevil
Maskelyne. The results were written up and published in this pamphlet
by Maskelyne, along with Harrison’s own description of his timekeeper.
Harrison’s timekeeper "revolutionized the science of navigation, as it
gave navigators their first means of observing true geographical position
at any given moment during a voyage. There was no comparable
advance in navigational aids until the development of radar in the
twentieth century" (Norman). The present edition is anonymously
translated by Pezenas, first French edition published with the English
text and followed by the critic by Pezenas of the Board and of his
translation of Harrison’s Remarks on a pamphlet lately published by
Maskelync. In his reply Harrison disputes Maskelyne’s report point by point and demonstrates the unreliability of the
method of finding the longitude by means of lunar tables. (Norman 998). Fine copy of two extremly rare texts, complete
with the seven plates.
$ 29 600
114. [INCUNABLE - HERBAL]. APULEIUS PLATONICUS. [HERBARIUM
APULEI]. INCIPIT HERBARIUM APULEI PLATONICI AD MARCUM AGRIPPAM.
[Rome:] Johannes Philippus de Lignamine, [c.1481-82]. 1 vol. 4to. [99] (/108) ll.
128 (/131) wood engravings depicting plants. Ancient full vellum. First edition of the first
printed herbal, utmost scarce in private hands, "one of the most widely used and pratical
remedy books" of the middle ages (Hunger), and used until the 18th century. The
authorship of this herbal, commonly dated 4th century, is often attributed to Apuleis
Barbarum, about whom very little is known, except the authorship of the present work,
or, as Lignamine, to Apulei: Roman philosopher and lawyer, famous for his knowledges
in medicine and magic. The text always was very popular and 60 manuscripts survived,
the oldest one dates of the 6th century. Lignamine used as a reference for the present
edition a 9th century manuscript he found in the Benedictine abbey of Monte Cassino's
library. (This manuscript was identified by Hunger: codex Casinensis 97 saec. IX, cf. The
Herbal of
PseudoApuleis,
Leiden,
1935). The herbal gives descriptions of 131
plants (128 in the present copy) and
indicates the prescriptions for madness,
paralysis, dysentry, fertilty, etc., and
antidotes for various poisons. Because it was
used in all Mediterranean countries, the
names of the plants are translated in several
languages, and is illustrated with a wood-cut.
Actually, this is the first series of printed
plants illustrations, and with the exception of
two woodcuts (Buch der Natur, Megenberg,
1475), they are the earliest printed botanical
illustration of any kind. The Herbarium
Apulei is very scarce on the market, and the
present copy is the only to have appeared in
auction (except an imperfect copy in 1955).
It is the more complete copy in private
hands. Fine copy.
POR
115. JACQUINOT (DOMINIQUE). -L'USAGE DE
L'ASTROLABE AVEC UN PETIT TRAICTÉ DE LA SPHÈRE. Paris,
1697. 1 vol. 12mo. many woodcuts in-text and 1 full-page.
Bookplate. Contemporary vellum. Later edition, expended and
updated, of the first French work on the astrolabe. Jacquinot's
publication, a clear and comprehenisve introduction in the use of
the astrolabe, was based on Stoeffler's Elucidatio fabricae ususque
astrolabii. (Oppenheim, 1513). The author dedicated it to
Catherine de Medici, then Dauphine, "who in her scientific
knowledge not only surpassed her contemporaries of her own
sex, but also most men. In its preparation he had the advantage of
the advice of M. Paschal du Hamel, the Regius Professor"
(Gunther). Fine copy.
$ 4 700
116. KIRCHER (ATHANASIUS). -ATHANASII KIRCHERI,
SOCIETATIS IESU. MAGNES SIVE ARTE MAGNETICA OPUS
TRIPARTITUM. QUO UNIVERSAMAGNETIS NATURA, EIUSQUE
IN OMNIBUS SCIENTIJS & ARTIBUS USUS, NOVA METHODO
EXPLICATUR, ETC. EDITIO TERTIA. Rome, sumptibus B.
Deuersin, & Z. Masotti; typis V. Mascardi, MDCLIV
(1654). 1 vol. folio. Engraved frontispiece, title printed in red and
black with copper engraved publisher’s device, 1 emblematic
plate, 34 copper engraved illustrations (mostly full page), 215
woodcut illustrations, some musical score. Contemporary vellum.
The third much enlarged, thoroughly revised and best edition, of
one of the major scientific works by the famous German Jesuit
scholar, Athanasius Kircher (1602-1680), a truly encyclopedic
work on magnetism. The frontispiece is richly engraved hermetic
and symbolic by F. Valentius. In the center of the dedication plate
is the portrait of Emperor Ferdinand IV. Fine copy.
$ 11 400
117. LA CHAPELLE (M. DE). -TRAITÉ DE LA CONSTRUCTION THÉORIQUE ET PRATIQUE DU SCAPHANDRE OU DU
BATEAU DE L'HOMME. Paris, Debure pere et chez l'auteur, 1775. 1 vol. 12mo. 2 folding plates. Original marbled
paperboard binding. Original edition of this particularly interesting treatise. Because the author considered these swimming
devices also of importance for use of people not able to swim and for preventing people from drowning. The floating suit
was originally designed for military purposes, and the suit was accompanied by a special hat in the shape of a swan. This hat
served both to disguise the person in the water in order to enable him to approach the enemy unawares, and to carry
munition over the water without wetting it. The author is also considered as the inventor of the word “scaphandre”, later
used for a diving suits. The plates depict the floating suits, both in detail and in full use. Fine copy in it's original cardboard.
$ 2 000
118. NOEGGERATH (JAKOB) & BURKART
(JOSEPH). -BAU DER ERDRINDE. [LA STRUCTURE
DE L'ÉCORCE DU GLOBE GÉOGRAPHIQUEMENT
REPRÉSENTÉE SELON L'ÉTAT ACTUEL DE LA
GÉOLOGIE]. Bonn Henry & Cohen 1838.
[Original atlas, text in facsimile]. 2 vols. folio. Text :
vi, 47, [1] p., Atlas : [1] l., [5] engraved and
handcoloured plates forming a long folding pannel
(620 x 2450 mm.) with title in German, English and
French. Contemporary cardboards. Scarce full edition
of one the first important published work, with an
accurate section of the earth's crust, showing
stratigraphic details of geological layers. Johann Jakob
Noeggerath (1788-1877), German geologist and
mineralogist, was the director of the Natural History
Museum of Bonn, he authored several works, this
one being the most innovative. A few copies were
published, and the work (complete with the text) is
scarce, only two are indicated in American librairies.
Fine copy.
$ 4 700
119. [PERRAULT (CLAUDE)]. -DESCRIPTION ANATOMIQUE D’UN CAMÉLÉON, D’UN CASTOR, D’UN DROMADAIRE,
D’UN OURS, ET D’UNE GAZELLE. A Paris, chez Frédéric Leonard, Impr. ordin. du Roy, rüe S. Iacques, à l’Escu
de Venise. 1669. 1 vol. 8vo. 5 folding plates. Contemporary vellum. First edition of the second publication of the
"Parisians," due to Claude Perrault (1613-1688), leader of the famous group of anatomists in Paris; their publications mark
the beginnings of modern comparative anatomy. In June 1667 the Academy was invited to dissect a thresher shark and a
lion which had died at the royal menagerie. The reports
on these dissections were the first of a long series of
anatomical descriptions, which ultimately included those
of twenty-five species of mammals, seventeen birds, five
reptiles, one amphibian, and one fish. "Although some
of the discoveries on which the Parisians most prided
themselves (…) had been observed earlier, no such
detailed and exact descriptions and illustrations had
been published before."–D.S.B., X, pp. 519-20. Claude
Perrault is best known as the architect of the eastern
range of the Louvre Palace, but he also achieved success
as a physician and anatomist, and as an author, who
wrote treatises on physics and natural history. Fine copy
of this illustrated treatise.
$ 5 100
120. PICCOLOMINI (ALESSANDRO). -I. LA SFERA DEL MONDO DI NUOVO DA LUI RIPOLITA, ACCRESCIUTA, &
FINO A SEI LIBRI, DI QUATTRO CHE ERANO AMPLIATA, É QUASI PAR OGNI PARTE RINOVATA & RIFORMATA. CON
PRIVILEGIO. II. DE LE STELLE FISSE LIBRO UNO ; DOVE DI TUTTE LE XLVIII IMAGIN CELESTI MINUTISSIMAMENTE
SI TRATTA ; & NON SOLO LE FAVOLE LORO ORDINATAMENTE SI NARRA, MA ANCORA LE FIGURE DI CIACHEDUNA
N'APPARON COSI MANIFESTE, & DISTINTAMENTE DISPOTE, & FORMATE, COME A PUNTO PAR IL CIEL SI CON
PRIVILEGIO ; III. INTITULES CON QUAL GRADO DEL ZODIACO NASCHINO ET TRAMONTINO LE PRINCIPALI STELLE
DEL CIELO. I. In Vinegia, Apresso Giovanni
Varisco, & Paganino Paganini, s.d. (vers 1595),
II. In Venetia, Per Gio. Varisco, & Compagni.
2 parts in 1 vol. 4to. Numerous in-text drawings, 47
plates printed on both recto and verso.
Contemporary full vellum. Together 2 important
texts of Alessandro Piccolomini, Italian
philosopher and astronomer (1508-1578). He was
professor of philosophy at Padua. In astronomy, he
was a supporter of the Ptolemaic system. Those
present are his two major works. His "Delle stelle
fisse" was the first printed star atlas, it is an
important testimony of the astronomical knowledge
of the time. Very popular, the book saw at least 12
editions in the XVIth century. Our copy has a
peculiarity: one of his ownera has crossed
diagonally with a pen just inked some pages and
scratched the margins with large cross marks, in
order to identify the pages or passages he had read
(?). Richly illustrated with many geometrical and
astronomical drawings.
$ 6 700
Miniataure Books and Varia
121. [KITCHINER (WILLIAM)]. -APICIUS REDIVIVUS; OR, THE COOK'S ORACLE... London,
Samuel Bagster, 1817. 1 vol. 12mo. 2 engraved plates. Contemporary half calf by Goodwyn of
Tetbury (with binder's label). Scarce first edition of an influential manual which was "written in a
down-to-earth style, and demonstrated Kitchiner's familiarity with the entire process, from shopping,
through preparing and serving the dishes, to cleaning up. Fine copy.
$ 2 300
122. [MINIATURE]. -EXERCICE
DU CHRÉTIEN. Paris, François Muguet, 1680. 1 miniature
vol. (34 x 24 mm.). Contemporary full morocco. Very scarce first edition of this miniature book (only
the 1692 edition appears on World Cat), published by François Muguet (1630-1702). Fine copy,
nicely bound.
SOLD
123. [MINIATURE]. -DE IMITATIONE CHRISTI, LIBRI QUATUOR. Impressum Parisiis, Cura Edwini Tross, 1858.
1 miniature vol. (72 x 48 mm.). 1 engraved frontispiece. Contemporary full morocco. Published by Edwin Tross, and
appears on the catalog of Ruth E. Adomeit's collection. Fine copy in contemporary binding.
$ 1 000
124. [MINIATURE]. - LE PETIT VOLAGE, POUR L’AN 1819 À PARIS. Paris, [Louis
Janet,1819]. 1 miniature vol. (27 x 19 mm.). 64 pp., 8 engraved plates. Contemporary red gilted
morocco, a.e.g. Little purse of red morocco. Only edition of this scarce miniature. The first part is
poems illustrated with full page engravings. Fine copy of this lovely book.
SOLD
125. [MINIATURE]. -[THE ALMANACK EXPLAINED]. [London, Printed for the Company of
Stationers, 1735]. 1 miniature vol. (53 x 30 mm.) [18] ff. Contemporary full black morocco, metal
clasp. Nice miniature almanac printed for the Company of Stationers from the 16th century until the
end of 19th century. This early copy of 1735 is scarce (no reference found in WorldCat). No title
page.
$ 800
126. [MINIATURE]. THE
VICTORIA
MINIATURE ALMANACK AND FASHIONABLE REMEMBRANCER FOR 1848.
London, W. Strance, Paternoster Row, Nottingham, [1847]. 1
miniature vol. (63 x 39 mm.). [25] ff. (title page printed in gold). 3 plates.
Lovely illustrated alamanack, with portrait of Victoria and landscape. One
also finds: 'Varieties, Select Sentances, Enigmatical bouquet', and 'The Ball
Room Guide'. Fine copy.
$ 650
[MINIATURE]. [STATIONERS]. -THE ALMANACK
LONDON ALMANACK FOR THE YEAR OF CHRIST 1826.
[London], Printed for the Company of Stationers, [1826]. 1 miniature
127.
EXPLAINED.
vol. (32 x 33 mm.). [18] ff. (Engraved title and arms), first plate with a gusset.
Contemporary full wine-coloured morocco, with a flap and a silver clasp.
Nice and scarce edition of the famous Almanack explained published from
the 16th to the end of the 19th century by the Company of Stationers, in an
original square shape. Fine copy.
SOLD
128. [MINIATURE]. [STATIONERS]. -THE ALMANACK EXPLAINED, LONDON
ALMANACK FOR THE YEAR OF CHRIST 1751. [London], Printed for the Company
of Stationers, [1751]. 1 miniature vol. (56 x 33 mm.). [20] ff. 1 folding engraved plate.
Contemporary full vellum, flat spine embossed with golden stars, galuchat black slipcase.
Nicely bound "Almanac Explained", published by the Company of Stationers for 1751,
illustrated with an engraved view: "St Paul and Black Friars Bridge". Fine copy.
$ 1 500
129.
[MINIATURE].
[STATIONERS].
-THE
ALMANACK EXPLAINED, LONDON
ALMANACK FOR THE YEAR OF
CHRIST 1772. [London], Printed
for the Company of Stationers,
[1772]. 1 miniature vol. (56 x 34
mm.). [13] ff., 1 4 pp. engraving.
Contemporary green morocco, with
inlays of light morocco, gilt-tooled
birds border, match slipcase. (Short
in head). Nice copy of this scarce
almanac published by the Company
of Stationers from the 16th until the 19th century. It is illustrated with a
view of "The New Excise Office". Finely bound.
$ 1 150
130. MONTESQUIEU (CHARLES DE SECONDAT, BARON DE). -LES LETTRES PERSANES. Cologne, Pierre
Marteau, 1721. 2 parts in 1 vol. 12mo. Red and black titles. Contemporary full calf. Rare true second edition with the
Cologne imprint, not specified by Brunet or Le Petit. It was considerably revised by the author, so that Tchemerzine
considers it as a "Second first edition, given by the author, letters order changed. Probably falsly dated, and published in
1730 in Amsterdam, by Jacques Desbordes". Fine copy.
$ 3 000