LE GENTIL DE LA GALAISIÈRE, Guillaume

Voyage dans les mers de l'Inde, fait par ordre du Roi, à l'occasion du passage de Vénus, sur le disque du soleil, le 6 juin 1761, & le 3 du même mois 1769. Paris, imprimerie royale, 1779-1781. 2 volumes in-4 (250 x 190 mm) of XVI, 707 pp, XIII pp, 1 f.n.ch. (errata), 13 engraved folding plates for volume I; XVI, 844, XVI pp, 2 ff.n.ch. (errata), 14 engraved plates for volume II. Spotted calf, spine ribbed, large gilt border, gilt edges (contemporary binding). Chadenat, 620; Tavera, 1510; Grandidier, 3090; D.S.B., VIII, 143-145; see Sabin, 38398 (for the German translation of 1781). First edition. During his studies in Paris Le Gentil (1725-1792) met Jacques Cassini and G.D. Maraldi, and was admitted to the Académie des Sciences in 1749 thanks to his astronomical research. Sent to India by the Academy of Sciences to observe the transit of Venus, Le Gentil could not reach Pondicherry because of the war against the English. He made some observations in Mauritius and decided to wait for the next transit of Venus eight years later, taking advantage of his long stay in the Indian Ocean to study the tides, the monsoons, natural history, astronomy and Indian religion. His book is full of information on Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion, and also on the Philippines: "es un libro muy importante... Trae... la memoria que escribio el Arzobispo Roxo relativa al asalto de Manilla por el ejercito ingles" (Tavera). A very good copy complete with its 27 required plates showing maps, constellations, views, objects of worship, flora, fauna, etc. Some leaves yellowed or with small spots; spine restored. Provenance: F.E. Lauber (bookplate).