Antique Prints, Maps, & Books of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 7425:
Description
This beautiful seven volume, complete set is the first edition of Cyrille Pierre Theodore Laplace’s
Voyage autour du monde par les mers de l’Inde et de la Chine exécuté sur la corvette de l’État la Favorite pendant les années 1830, 1831, 1832… or
Voyage around the world by the seas of India and China of the corvette of Her Majesty La Favorite executed during the 1830s, 1831 and 1832 under the command of Mr. Laplace, Commander. The work was published in Paris by Imprimerie Royale & Arthus Bertrand between 1833 and 1839.
There are seven volumes in the work:
Four volumes of text in octavo with fold out map, bound in contemporary fawn demibasane, spine ribbed, title-pieces. The bindings have been re-stained, title-pieces roughly restores, some foxing. Measures ~ 5 7/8" by 9"
One volume of zoology in octavo with 32 engravings with original hand-coloring and gum highlights (22 mostly insects and crustaceans, 10 in the bound in supplement of lepidoptera). It is bound in modern fawn half-basane, spine ribbed, title-pieces present (often missing). The upper spine is slightly rubbed, otherwise fine example. Measures ~ 5 7/8" by 9"
Volume in folio with 72 engravings. Bound in half-fawn morocco with unskilled modern corners, 5-ribbed spine, gilt author and title (binding signed "Golfier"). Includes title, table of plates, and 72 engravings in tailledouce and shades of gray by Himely on Chine applieque. After drawings by Barthelemy Lauvergne, painter to the Navy, Paris, and Louis-Auguste de Sainson (draftsman of the voyage of the Astrolabe). There is some foxing to the text, minoir browning to the margins of the plates. Measures ~ 12 1/2" by 18 7/8"
Hydrographic Atlas in broadside with 12 black steel-engraved charts by Ambroise Tardieu. Bound in modern, half-basin with havana corners, spine speckled. Title page, table of charts, and 12 plates. There are some snags and repairs to the edges, table f is unbound, dust on title and margin of plate one, light halos and browning the in margins, some scattered foxing, small tear without missing paper to plate 10. Measures ~ 19 7/8" by 26"
The work has been described as "perhaps the finest series of plates to any of the picturesque voyages" (Sabin 38985) and "…sumptuous…. They are some of the most beautiful plates of the kind in existence…" (Borba de Moraes p. 458)
Captain Laplace began is around the world voyage from Toulon on December 30, 1829 aboard the corvette La Favorite. He was commissioned to circumnavigate the globe by the French government. He passed through Gibralter, Goree, Cape of Good Hope, Mauritius, Saint-Louis de la Reunion, Indies, Singapore, Manila, Canton, Indonesia, Sydney, New Zealand, Vaplparaiso Cape Horn, and Rio de Janeiro before returning to Toulon on April 21, 1832.
"In December 1829, Laplace was commissioned to take an expedition to India, the East Indies and South East Asia, and then, if he chose to do so, proceed through the South Pacific. His instructions were to provide protection for French merchant vessels and obtain at each port-of-call information which might be of value to French trade." (Hill)
"From the scientific viewpoint, Laplace’s voyage was one of the most successful. The maps made from surveys in the Pacific and the collections which were assembled became famous during that period." (Borba de Moraes)
Provenance: Library of entomologist Jacques d’Aguilar (1921-2018), with his fine bookplate, engraved in black and numbered 78/200 and signed by artist and engraver Jeanne Esmein (1928-2025), Mounted on volume 5
Paper Size: Measurements in Description
Paper Type or Special Features: 7 Volumes with 116 Engravings (Complete First Edition)
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Further description notes in description. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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