Lot 53. MARCHAND, Etienne; FLEURIEU, Charles Pierre Claret de.

The first edition, in the rare large paper issue, describing the first French commercial voyage to the Pacific Northwest. Marchand, commander of the expedition, had learned of the rich rewards to be earned in the North Pacific fur trade from Captain Portlock. He sailed via Cape Horn and traded along the Northwest coast in the summer of 1791. Upon his return to France, the cargo was confiscated by the Revolutionary government, resulting in a loss for his investors. Marchand died in 1793 and Fleurieu, himself an experienced Pacific explorer, took over the editing and publication of the materials from the voyage, which include descriptions of Norfolk Sound and Sitka, followed by a particularly detailed account of the Queen Charlotte Islands, and further explorations as far as the southern end of Vancouver Island.

First edition. Large paper copy, 4 volumes, 4to (32.5 x 24 cm), 15 folding engraved charts (light foxing), 1 engraved plate, contemporary mottled calf gilt, neatly rebacked, red morocco lettering pieces, an excellent set.

[Forbes, 292; Hill, 612; Howes, F-195; Lada-Mocarski, 54; Tourville, 1579; Wickersham, 6622. ]