COURTANVAUX, Francois Cesar Le Tellier, Marquis de (1718-1781). Journal du Voyage de M. le Marquis de Courtanvaux, sur la fregate l'Aurore, pour essayer par ordre de l'Academie, plusieurs instrumens relatifs a la Longitude. Paris: L’imprimerie...

COURTANVAUX, Francois Cesar Le Tellier, Marquis de (1718-1781). Journal du Voyage de M. le Marquis de Courtanvaux, sur la fregate l'Aurore, pour essayer par ordre de l'Academie, plusieurs instrumens relatifs a la Longitude. Paris: L’imprimerie royale, 1768.

First edition of an important work in the race to perfect a method of measuring longitude. The present work is Courtanvaux’s report of a voyage in the frigate l'Aurore, a vessel that was fitted out at his own expense in attempt to win the prize offered by the Academie for the first successful and accurate measurement. NMM I, 1149a.

Quarto (257 x 197mm). Engraved frontispiece, 5 further folding engraved plates including one chart (occasional light spotting and browning, one small marginal chip, faint stain to R1). Contemporary cat’s paw calf, spine gilt (very minor repairs). Provenance: Ve. Le Jeune & Fils (bookseller’s label on endpaper).

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