Vancouver's A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean - 6 Octavo Volumes with 26 Engravings

Vancouver's A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean - 6 Octavo Volumes with 26 Engravings
George Vancouver's Voyage de découvertes à l'Océan pacifique du Nord et autour du monde… exécuté pendant les années 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794 et 1795. or Voyage of discovery to the North Pacific Ocean and around the world… executed during the years 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794 and 1795. This first French edition was published in Paris by Didot the Younger between 1801 and 1802. It was translated from English by P. F. Henry.

There are six volumes in octavo size with the sixth volume containing 26 engraved plates, several folding. The atlas volume contains 17 views, 1 plan, and 8 folding maps. The engravings were done by Tardieu the Elder. The volumes are bound in half sheepskin, decorated smooth spine.

George Vancouver (1757-1798) was a British explorer. He sailed with Captain James Cook on his second and third voyages. Under the direction of George III of England, Vancouver set out in 1792 to survery the Spanish settlements and coast-line from La Paz in Baja to San Francisco, California as well as to the coast discovered by Captain James Cook. His hydographical work made him one of Britain's foremost navigators.

Howes said of the work, "This voyage became one of the most important ever made in the interests of geographical knowledge." (Howes V23) Hill noted, "This voyage became one of the most important ever made in the interests of geographical knowledge." (Hill 1754) Streeter described the first edition in 1798 saying: "This narrative is one of the most important accounts of the exploration of the Pacific Northwest and New Zealand, and valuable source information about Tahiti and the Hawaiian Islands in the last decade of the eighteenth century. Cowan considered the account to be superior to any of its kind and the chief authority on the areas explored during this period. Vancouver (1758-1798) was an extraordinarily capable explorer, having sailed with Cook on the second and third voyages (1772-4, 1776-80) and served under Rodney and Alan Gardner. It was Gardner who recommended him for a voyage in search for a northwest passage to the Great Lakes. The present narrative is the complete account of that voyage, accompanied by an atlas of maps and views of the areas explored. Vancouver died on May 10, 1798, his brother John completing the task of preparing and editing the narrative. Among the important features of the narrative are the engraved views.of the Mission of San Carlos and the Presidio of Monterey, probably the first published views of California. It is possible that the artist sailing with La Perouse, who visited Monterey in 1786, drew a sketch of the Mission, but no views of California scenery appear in the La Perouse atlas." (Streeter Sale 3497)

The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There are two cracked joints but otherwise good copy. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint marks to be expected with age. The plates may show signs of handling and age especially with folding engravings. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
~ 4 5/8" by 7 7/8"