HUMBOLDT (Alexandre de) - GOUJAUD (aimé) dit BONPLAND - Lot 581

HUMBOLDT (Alexandre de) - GOUJAUD (aimé) dit BONPLAND Voyage aux régions équinoxiales du Nouveau Continent, fait en 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803 et 1804, par Al. De Humboldt and A. Paris, Librairie grecque-latine-allemande, 1816-1831. 13 volumes in 12 in-8; 4 folding tables in fine of the last volume. Lacks the Atlas Géographique et Physique. Occasional foxing. ½ contemporary fawn calf, ornate smooth spine, gilt title, fillets and tomaisons on smooth spines, some minor wear to headpieces and boards. This voyage of scientific exploration in the Spanish colonies of America lasted over five years. Inventorying flora and fauna, analyzing climate and geology, tracing giant rivers, climbing mountain ranges, Andean volcanoes and Mexican pyramids were the expedition's top priorities. The extraordinarily fruitful results of the expedition earned Humboldt the title of "America's second discoverer". On his return, Humboldt published the results of the expedition in French in 23 in folio and in-4 volumes. He reworked the second edition himself, shortening it to 13 volumes. His collaborator, Aimé Bonpland (1773-1858), was a botanist and zoologist. He offered the Museum his herbarium containing 5,800 species, half of which were unknown. The two scientists explored Venezuela and Caracas, then rafted up the Orinoco, arriving in Bogotá before heading for Ecuador and Quito. Then on to Lima and Acapulco. After a long stay in Mexico, the two explorers took the boat at Vera Cruz for Havana and Washington, where they were received by President Jefferson. They finally returned to Europe with mountains of notes and the voluminous herbarium (Sabin 33768). The thirteenth volume is very rare and bound after volume 12. A highly esteemed work. However, the geographical and physical atlas is missing.