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Description

CHAPPE D'AUTEROCHE, Jean. Voyage en Californie pour l'observation du passage de Vénus sur le disque du soleil le 3 juin 1769 et description historique de la route de l'auteur à travers le Mexique. Paris, Charles Antoine Jombert, 1772 In 4to. 258x180 mm. Coeval marbled leather binding, gilt fillets, smooth spine decorated with gilt motifs, marbled guard sheets, red boards. Pages 4 unnumbered, Eye and Frontispiece, 170, [2]. One fold-out table outside text on p. 50. Large fold-out map of Mexico City, three plates outside text, two of natural history, one with transit of Venus, all copper-engraved. Good copy. Very rare first edition with a beautiful plate of Mexico City of this sought-after work describing the important scientific expedition to California. California, uncultivated land, had been considered one of the most suitable places for observing the transit of Venus in 1769. The Academy of Sciences obtained permission from the king to send one of its members. The astronomer Chappe, was chosen for this mission and went to California, with Dol and Medina, naval officers and astronomers of the king of Spain. His observations were published in Paris in 1772 by Cassini. Streeter: "A thrilling account of a race against time to reach Lower California before the transit of Venus occurred. After nerve-racking delays, which began in Spain, and narrow escapes from disaster, the goal was reached late in May. Two days after the transit was observed a malignant fever spread through the little group and Chappe d'Auteroche, who nursed the sick and dying, took it himself and died on the first of August. Mr. Cowan is quite incorrect in his note on this book, saying 'this celestial phenomenon was visible only upon the coast of California.' It was in fact visible throughout the western hemisphere and expeditions to observe it were sent to numerous stations. Also Spain not only knew of the expedition, but in the end co-operated in every way to make it a success. "In addition to the large fold-out plan of Mexico City, the volume is illustrated with 3 large copper-engraved plates.Streeter Sale 2443. Cowan I, p. 46.Sabin 12003; Cowan II, p. 114; Hill 278; Howes C299; Palau 67059. 4to. 258x180mm. Contemporary binding in marbled leather, gilt fillets, flat back decorated with gold motifs, marble endpapers, red edges. Pages [4, Half-title and Titlepage], 170, 2. A folding letterpress table out of the text on p. 50. Large folding plan of Mexico City, three plates out of text, two of natural history, one with the transit of Venus, all engraved in copper. Good copy. Very rare first edition with a beautiful plan of Mexico City of this sought-after work describing the important scientific expedition to California. California, uncultivated land, had been considered one of the most suitable places for observing the transit of Venus in 1769. The Academy of Sciences obtained permission to send one of him. The astronomer Chappe, was chosen for this mission and went to California, with Dol and Medina, naval officers and astronomers of the king of Spain. His writings were inserted in Paris in 1772 by Cassini. Streeter: "A thrilling account of a race against time to reach Lower California before the transit of Venus occurred. After nerve-racking delays, which began in Spain, and narrow escapes from disaster, the goal was reached late in May. Two days after the transit was observed a malignant fever spread through the little group and Chappe d'Auteroche, who nursed the sick and dying, took it himself and died on the first of August. Mr. Cowan is quite incorrect in his note on this book, saying 'this celestial phenomenon was visible only upon the coast of California.' It was in fact visible throughout the western hemisphere and expeditions to observe it were sent to numerous stations. Also Spain not only knew of the expedition, but in the end co-operated in every way to make it a success. "In addition to the large folded plan of Mexico City, the volume is illustrated with 3 large plates engraved on copper.

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CHAPPE D'AUTEROCHE, Jean. Voyage en Californie pour l'observ

Estimate 3 000 - 4 000 EUR
Starting price 2 500 EUR

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For sale on Tuesday 10 Sep : 15:00 (CEST)
padova, Italy
Bado e Mart Auctions
+390498755317
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