LESSON, René Primevère (1794-1849). Voyage autour du Monde entrepris par ordre du gouvernement sur la corvette La Coquille. Paris: P. Pourrat freres, 1839.

LESSON, René Primevère (1794-1849). Voyage autour du Monde entrepris par ordre du gouvernement sur la corvette La Coquille. Paris: P. Pourrat freres, 1839.

First edition of the only full narrative of Duperrey's voyage of discovery by a member of the expedition. Unusually, this set includes a separate volume with 41 plates. As the official narrative of the expedition was never published, Lesson's account remains the only full printed account of Duperrey's expedition, alongside Dumont d'Urville's Observations personelles. 'The expedition achieved notable scientific results and corrections to maps, accumulated much meteorological data, and brought back many rock samples and botanical specimens’ (Hill). Borba de Moraes I, p.475; Ferguson 2787; Hill 1012; Sabin 40214.

3 volumes, comprising 2 text volumes and one atlas volume, all octavo (224 x 148mm). Wood-engraved title vignettes, engraved frontispiece in vol. 2, 41 plates in atlas, of which 19 hand-coloured and 2 folding, pp.9-16 in vol. 1 misbound after p.44 (some spotting). Contemporary green half morocco, spines gilt.

Special Notice

No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.