197 - VANCOUVER (George). A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean and Around the World; in which the Northwest Coast of America was carefully explored and accurately mapped … and undertaken in 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, and 1795 by Captain George Vancouver. Translated from the English. Paris, Imprimerie de la République, Year VIII. 3 vols. of text in-4 (text) in glazed, grained calfskin, smooth spine richly decorated, title page and volume number in red and green marbling, gilt fillets and garland framing the covers, straw-colored edges; and 1 large atlas volume in-plano (66.5 x 50.5 cm) in pink cardboard (contemporary bindings).

VANCOUVER (George). A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean and Around the World; in which the Northwest Coast of America was carefully explored and accurately mapped … and undertaken in 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, and 1795 by Captain George Vancouver. Translated from the English. Paris, Imprimerie de la République, Year VIII. 3 vols. of text in-4 (text) in glazed, grained calfskin, smooth spine richly decorated, title page and volume number in red and green marbling, gilt fillets and garland framing the covers, straw-colored edges; and 1 large atlas volume in-plano (66.5 x 50.5 cm) in pink cardboard (contemporary bindings). Slight circular mark on one cover. Small dark spot on one cover. Very slight rubbing or scuffing. A few small light water stains or foxing spots inside. The atlas’s cardboard binding is worn with paper losses and a few foxing spots. Ex-libris by P. R. Duperray for the atlas. First French edition, translated from the English by Jean-Nicolas Démeunier and Abbé Morellet, of one of the most important travel and exploration accounts of the Pacific in the late 18th century. The original English edition was published in London in 1798, shortly after Vancouver’s death. Complete set of 18 plates engraved by Tardieu, including one map. The atlas is complete with all 16 engraved maps and views. A former companion of James Cook on his second and third voyages, George Vancouver (1757–1798) was commissioned by the British Admiralty to survey the northwest coast of America and search for a possible sea passage between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. His expedition, conducted from 1791 to 1795, took him to Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), and the American coast from California to Alaska. His highly accurate hydrographic surveys profoundly revolutionized the cartography of the North American coastline and helped prove the nonexistence of the Northwest Passage at the latitudes explored. The large atlas, which is highly sought after, brings together the maps and views that make this work a landmark in the history of maritime exploration.