Pacific - Lot 614

Pacific LA PÉROUSE (Jean-François de Galaup), Count Voyage de La Pérouse autour du Monde, published in accordance with the decree of April 22, 1791, and written by M. L. A. Milet-Mureau. Paris, imprimerie de la République, an V (1797). [With] Atlas of La Pérouse's Voyage around the World (Made in the years 1785, 86, 87 and 88). 4 volumes in-4 of text; engraved frontispiece portrait after Tardieu. Passages of worms in the outer margin at the end of the volume (Volume I), small traces of worms in the extreme margin at the head of the first 12 pages (Volume II), angular traces of worms at the head of the first 48 pages, with small damage to the text of the first 28 pages (Volume III), slight angular light ring at the head of the first 60 pages, without damage to the text (Volume IV), Copy on large blue paper with wide margins. - Atlas in plano containing an engraved title (sheet detached, small tears at edges) and 67/69 plates, some of natural history, views of Easter Island, Macao, Manila Bay, depictions of native boats and maps, some folding or double-paged (plates 2 and 14 missing; minor flaws on 3 or 4 plates). Contemporary red morocco signed WIER (Bound by Wier engraved in cold), spine with ornate false nerves, 8 wide black fillets framed by gilt fillets, gilt title and tomaisons, minor defects and rubbing, gilt fillets framing the boards, rhombus of gilt fillets at the centers of the boards with "Aux Manes de Mr La Pérouse" on upper boards, MP numeral with interlocking letters on lower boards, gilt fillet on edges, fine inner garland, blue silk endpapers, gilt edges (text) - Identical binding, rubbing, stains on boards and dull corners (atlas). A fine copy. Louis XVI entrusted La Pérouse with the command of an expedition of discovery. Surrounded by scientists and artists, La Pérouse was charged with continuing the exploration of the Pacific. During this long voyage, they visited Chile, Easter Island (they made a meticulous survey of the statues), the Hawaiian Islands (their position was rectified), Alaska, California, Macao, Manila, the China and Japanese seas, the Tonga Islands, and finally Botany Bay in January 1788. Two months later, there was no news of the expedition, and its fate remained a mystery. Its mysterious disappearance remained an enigma for a long time. Several navigators were sent in search of La Pérouse, and it was Dumont d'Urville who was the first to locate the wreck of L'Astrolabe. A fine copy in red morocco on large paper, with a few minor flaws, and unfortunately with 2 plates missing from the atlas. "One of the finest accounts of maritime exploration ever written" (Howell).