Voyage autour du monde entrepris par ordre du gouvernement sur la corvette La Coquille by Lesson, Rene Primevere - 1839

1839. Paris. Pourrat Freres. Two volumes in 8vo (240 x 155 mm). 1 blank + 2 ff., 510, 1 ff., 1 blank + 17 plates, one folding, & 5 contemporary-colored plates; 1 b., 2 ff., 547, 1 ff. + 10 plates, one folding, & 16 contemporary colored. Contemporary boards backed with brown chagrin, raised bands to spine, tooled and lettered in gilt, some rubbing, overall good. Internally a very good, virtually free of the usual foxing spots, fresh copy, with the colored plates in brilliant examples.

2,400 $

First edition. The so-called deluxe issue, where the natural history plates occur in full vibrant colours; the illustration, rich in iconography, is comprised of 27 plates in black and white, and 21 in contemporary colour: portraying local costumes, views, indigenous population, ornaments, and natural history (including the plate of the kangaroo) of Chile, Brazil, Tahiti, the Falklands, Australia, Port Jackson: "This book is much valued for the ten [sic] beautiful coloured plates of birds besides the views it contains" (Hill). Lesson´s narrative is valuable as is one of the very few accounts of the expedition. Duperrey´s expedition lasted from 1822-25, it was "largely scientific in purpose, called at Brazil and the Falkland Islands, and then rounded Cape Horn and sailed along the coast visiting Concepcion, Callao, and Payta. Heading towards the Tuamotu Archipelago, Duperrey discovered Clermont Tonnerre (Reao) and then went on to Tahiti. In June 1823, the Coquille sailed for Port Jackson via Tonga, the Santa Cruz Island, New Britain, New Ireland, and the Moluccas… Lesson was the naturalist of this expedition, and his account of the voyage supplies the details which Duperrey failed to publish" (Hill).

Lesson (1794 – 1849) was a French surgeon, naturalist, zoologist and ornithologist, besides explorer and adventurer; the last portion of his resume was gained by his participation in 1822 in the voyage around the world on board the Coquille, under the command of Duperrey, under the position of doctor and botanist. From his voyage, Lesson, brought with him 3 heads of Maoris, one of which survives at the museum of natural history of La Rochelle.

Sabin, 40214. Chadenat II 7072. Borba de Moraes, 475.