CROZET, Julien Marie

New voyage to the South Sea, begun under the orders of Mr. Marion (...) and completed, after the death of this Officer, under those of Mr. Chevalier Duclesmeur, Garde de la Marine. This report was written according to the Plans & Diaries of Mr. Crozet. An extract from the one of M. de Surville in the same areas was attached to this voyage. Paris, printers of Monsieur pour Barrois, 1783. In-8 (197 x 122 mm) of VIII, 290 pp.o.b., 1 f.n.b., 7 engraved plates out of text of which one folding. Half-brown calf, spine ornamented, spotted edges (binding in the style of the period). Hill, 401; O'Reilly & Reitman, 326; Chadenat, 632: "Important and very rare relation"; JCB, II, 2880; New Zealand National Bibliography, 1501; Kroepelien, 1104; Howgego, C222. First edition, very rare. The first French expedition to New Zealand, and the second to Australia. The mission, commanded by Marion du Fresne accompanied by Julien-Marie Crozet and Le Jar du Clesmeur, had for first objective to bring back to his island the Tahitian Aotourou, whom Bougainville had brought to France. Unfortunately, the passenger died at anchor in Fort Dauphin (Madagascar). Marion du Fresne's expedition did not visit Tahiti but went directly to its second objective, Australia. The navigators discovered the islands of the Kerguelen archipelago, Cavern Island (or Marion Island), Penguin Island, the Cold Islands, Arid Island (or Crozet Island) and Possession Island, then visited Tasmania before landing in New Zealand, where the natives immediately gave them hospitality. But during their stay, the situation changed: Marion and his men - about 20 officers and crew members - were massacred during an ambush. Crozet then took the direction of the expedition, avenged his comrades and returned to France via Guam, the Philippines and Mauritius. This report, written by Alexis Marie Rochon from Crozet's journals, offers an excellent description of New Zealand, its fauna and flora, as well as the life and customs of the natives. It is illustrated with 7 engraved plates: four showing New Zealand natives, one representing a cedar tree and two maps, one of which is folded. "The first printed French maps of New Zealand were Marion Dufresne's maps of 1772 in this account of Crozet's voyage." (Tooley, The Mapping of Australia, p. XII and pp. 308, 158). A nice complete copy with good margins.