KERGUELEN TREMAREC, Yves-Joseph de (1734-1797). Relation de deux voyages. Paris: Knapen & fils, 1782.

KERGUELEN TREMAREC, Yves-Joseph de (1734-1797). Relation de deux voyages. Paris: Knapen & fils, 1782.

The Frank Streeter-Friedlaender copy of the suppressed first edition, seized and destroyed by the French government because of its dedication “à la Patrie.” This fascinating and wide-ranging work includes chapters on the American War of Independence, Madagascar, war against Britain, the navy, scurvy, and a method of signaling from ship to ship in the course of its report on the discovery of “Kerguelen’s Land” in the southern Indian Ocean. It includes an engraved folding map of the "Terres australes françaises" and details his two voyages to explore the Indian Ocean. Commissioned by the French Government, Kerguelen set out to discover the southern continent of "Gonneville Land" in 1771. He had hoped to find a rich southern land and, disappointed by what he found, called his discovery "Desolation Land." The islands were later named after him by Cook during his third voyage. Sabin 37618.

Octavo (197 x 123mm). Half title, engraved folding map. Contemporary mottled sheep (rebacked, with portion of original spine preserved). Provenance: Gerau de Palmfeld (inkstamp to title) – Frank Streeter (his sale, Christie's, 16-17 April 2007, lot 298) – The Helmut N. Friedlaender Collection.