La pérouse

1798 · 23577 — London: John Stockdale 1798. First Stockdale edition. Hardcover. Recently expertly rebacked retaining all original materials some toning to text and plates but a very good copy. 2 volumes contemporary full tan calf by H. Faulkner; 20 cxc 290; viii 442 119 pp 51 engraved plates in the 2 volumes including 3 folding maps in first volume. Printed label at upper corner of verso of front free endpaper: "Bound by H. Faulkner George Court Adelphi." The British Book Trade Directory finds a Henry Faulkner Sr. succeded by Henry Faulkner Jr. at a George Court Adelphi from 1790 to 1825. <br/><br/>Originally published in French in 1797 this is one of two English-language translations published in 1798. This edition preceded earlier in the year by the Johnson edition which had only 41 plates. "The narrative of the enterprising but ill-fated Pérouse is full of interest in all portions but his relations of the peculiarities he observed in the natives of the northwest coast of North America are especially valuable. The mysterious fate of this distinguished navigator has never been satisfactorily cleared up. The above account was transmitted from Botany Bay after leaving this place the expedition was never heard of again" Sabin. In fact recent investigations into the fate of La Perouse have determined that both ships in the expedition were wrecked on the reefs of Vanikoro in the Solomon Islands. Cox I p. 67; Hill 974 observing that "The preface to the Stockdale edition leads one to suppose that the Johnson edition was published slightly earlier; Sabin 38964. John Stockdale hardcover