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The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788, with the Nautical Tables.
To which is Prefixed, Narrative of an Interesting Voyage from Manilla to St. Blaise.
And annexed Travels Over the Continent, with the Dispatches of La Pérouse in 1787 and 1788
by M. de Lesseps. Jean Francois de Galaup La Pérouse.

Published as the Act Directs by G.G. & J. Robinson
Paternoster Row, London
1797-1798

La Perouse
Jean François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse

(1741-1788)

Jean-François de Galaup, comte de La Pérouse (1741-1788) was born to a prosperous French family in 1741. At fifteen years old he joined the French navy and, with France and England at war, saw service in Canada and the English Channel from 1757 to 1762. From 1772 to 1777 he served the French colonial government in the Indian Ocean, sailing from Calcutta to Madagascar and elsewhere in the region. When in 1778 France entered the American Revolution on the side of the colonies, La Pérouse (now in command of his own vessels) returned to harassing the British, seizing ships and burning forts all along the Atlantic Coast and as far north as Hudson Bay. When the American Revolution ended, La Pérouse embarked on the expedition described here, from which he failed to return.

Expedition of 1785-1788

When the war ended, the French determined to send out a scientific exploring voyage to rival that of Captain Cook. La Pérouse was given command of two ships that left France in August 1785, rounded Cape Horn in January 1786, and reached Hawaii in May. On June 1, 1786, they left for Alaska, which was sighted later that month on the 23rd. They spent most of the summer charting the shoreline in a fruitless search for a Northwest Passage. In early August they started south for California and fresh supplies, passing Baranof Island on August 7, Vancouver Island on the August 29, the Columbia River on September 3, and sailing into Monterey on the September 13, 1786.

Leaving North America on September 24, 1786, the expedition crossed the south Pacific to China, and spent more than a year in Asian waters. La Pérouse coasted north as far as Korea and Kamchatka, and south to Taiwan and the Philippines before reaching Australia in January 1788. In mid-March 1788 both his ships were wrecked on a coral reef at the remote island of Vanikoro, with the loss of all hands. Thirty years later remains were found and the islanders reported that survivors had built a boat and headed out to sea, but neither La Pérouse nor any of his crew were ever heard from again.

La Pérouse had sent letters back to Europe from Manila, Macao, and Australia. In October 1787 he had also sent a Russian-speaking officer, Jean Baptiste Barthélemy, Baron de Lesseps (1766-1834) overland from Kamchatka with documents, charts, and journals. De Lesseps made it successfully through Siberia to St. Petersburg and then to Paris, where he arrived late in 1788. In May 1791, when it seemed clear that La Pérouse would never return, the revolutionary government commissioned former army officer Louis Antoine Milet-Mureau (1756-1825) to edit a book from these materials, which was published in Paris in four volumes with an atlas in 1797. A second French edition was required the following year, and English translations appeared in 1798, 1799, 1801, and 1807; German and Dutch editions were published between 1799 and 1804.

Source: americanjourneys.org

 

 

 



Original copperplate engravings over 220 years old on beautiful handmade, chain-laid paper


(Click thumbnails for enlarged view and to assess the condition of each engraving. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on these original antique copperplate engravings.)

A Chart of the North West Coast of America Explored by the Boussole and Astrolabe in 1790
Please click on above image for an enlarged view. The digital Darvill's watermark does not appear on the antique map.

REF: USA-8 / Plate 17

A Chart of the North West Coast of America
Explored by the Boussole and Astrolabe in 1786
1st Sheet

London, published by the Robinsons (1798)

Overall sheet size = approx.  20 3/8 x 16 1/2 inches (52 x 42 cm)

Image size (to map's neat line) = approx. 19 1/4 X 14 1/8 inches (49 x 36 cm)

Original copperplate engraving on hand-laid paper, over 220 years old. Vertical center fold, as issued.
Condition: GOOD. Some browning/foxing, mainly in margins but also in image area. Browning at fold line, per usual. Small stabilized split at bottom edge/fold. There are several natural paper wrinkles, inherent in the paper making and press operations.

$250
Chart of the North West Coast of America Explored by the Boussole & Astrolabe in 1786 3d Sheet
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 31

Chart of the North West Coast of America
Explored by the Boussole & Astrolabe
in 1786
3d Sheet

published by G. G. Robinson, London, in 1798 • original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 20.5 inches by 16.5 inches

typical age-appropriate toning around edges of paper, minor "handling" very faint bend marks, faint damp stains upper margin just extending into image area

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$350
Views of the North West Coast of North America Explored by the BOUSSOLE & ASTROLABE in 1786 1st sheet
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 18

Views of the North West Coast of North America
Explored by the BOUSSOLE & ASTROLABE in 1786

1st sheet

(Mount St. Elias, Piton or Needle Mount, Mount Fair Weather, Mount Crillon)

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 14.75 inches by 10.5 inches

very faint foxing

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$150
Views of the North West Coast of North America Explored by the BOUSSOLE & ASTROLABE in 1786 1st sheet
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 32

Views of the North West Coast of North America
Explored by the BOUSSOLE & ASTROLABE in 1786

3rd sheet

(Mount La Touche, C. Hector, Isles Sartine, Cape Blanco)

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 15 inches by 10.125 inches

mild foxing

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$125
Port of San Diego in California La Perouse
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 35

Plan of the Port of San Diego in California
from a survey in 1782
(one of the earliest, most detailed, rarest charts of San Diego harbor)

Plan of the Port and Deparement of S. Blas
from a survey in November 1777

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 10.5 inches by 16 inches

mild foxing, a couple of short tears around edges

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$475
Chart of Necker Island La Perouse
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 38

Chart of Necker Island
and Basse des Frégates Françaises
or French Frigates Shoal
[in the British Virgin Islands today]

Plan and Views of Necker Island

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 20.25 inches by 16.25 inches
with vertical center fold, as issued
(Note: the chart was scanned in 2 parts and joined using digital software so it may appear slightly disjointed but is all one piece as issued)

mild foxing, browning around edges

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$175
Plan of Part of the Islands or Archipelago of Core seen in May 1787 by the Boussole and Astrolabe
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 44

Plan of Part of the Islands or Archipelago of Corea [Korea]
seen in May 1787 by the Boussole and Astrolabe

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 20.25 inches by 16.25 inches
with vertical center fold, as issued
(Note: the chart was scanned in 2 parts and joined using digital software so it may appear slightly disjointed but is all one piece as issued)

mild foxing, browning around edges, a couple of unobtrusive natural paper wrinkles

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$325
island of quelpaert la perouse
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 45

Part of the Island of Quelpaert

Plan of the Island of Hoapin Su and the surrounding islets

Plan of Isle Dagelet

Part of the Island of Botol

Plan of the Island of Kumi

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 10.25 inches by 15.875 inches

mild foxing, toning around edges of paper, a few natural paper wrinkles

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$195
Chart of the Discoveries to the North of Japan
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 47

Chart of the Discoveries to the North of Japan in 1643 by the Dutch Ships, the Kastrikum & the Breskens, Including the Land of Jeso, Staten Island & Company's Land,
of which part was exlored in 1787 by the Boussole & Astrolabe

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 20.25 inches by 16.25 inches
with vertical center fold, as issued
(Note: the chart was scanned in 2 parts and joined using digital software so it may appear slightly disjointed or not line up correctly, but be asured the chart is all one piece as issued)

mild foxing, browning around edges, a couple of unobtrusive natural paper wrinkles

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$450
Part of Baie de Ternai
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 48

Part of Baie de Ternai
situated on the Coast of Tartary...
discovered the 22nd of June 1787 By the French Frigates
la Boussole & l'Astrolabe

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 10.25 inches by 16 inches

mild foxing, toning around edges of paper, a few natural paper wrinkles

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$125
Part of Baie de Ternai
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 49

Plan of la Baie de Langle
on the West side of the Isle of Tchoka

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 10.25 inches by 15.875 inches

mild foxing, toning around edges of paper

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$125
Plan of la Baie d'Estaing
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 51

Plan of la Baie d'Estaing
on the Eastern Coast of Tchoka

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 10.25 inches by 15.875 inches

mild foxing, toning around edges of paper

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$150
Chart of the Discoveries to the North of Japan
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 52

Plan of the Baie de Castries
on the Eastern Coast of Tartary

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 20.25 inches by 16.25 inches
with vertical center fold, as issued
(Note: the chart was scanned in 2 parts and joined using digital software so it may appear slightly disjointed or not line up correctly, but be asured the chart is all one piece as issued)

mild foxing, browning around edges

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$225
samoan islands la perouse archipelago of navigators
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 64

Chart of the Archipelago of Navigators (Samoan Islands)

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 20.25 inches by 16.25 inches
with vertical center fold, as issued
(Note: the chart was scanned in 2 parts and joined using digital software so it may appear slightly disjointed or not line up correctly, but be asured the chart is all one piece as issued)

mild foxing, browning around edges

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$275
Plan of Part of the Island of Maouna
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788
PLATE 65

Plan of Part of the Island of Maouna

Plan of Massacre Cove on the North West Side of Maouna, on of the Navigator Islands

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 10.25 inches by 15.75 inches

mild foxing, toning around edges of paper, edge/corner wear and/or bends

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$150
Plan of Part of the Island of Maouna
The Voyage of La Pérouse Round the World in the Years 1785, 1786, 1787, and 1788

PLATE 68

NOTE: this chart possibly may not be from La Perouse's voyage, but is from the same time period (1798) and publisher (Robinson)

Part of the Great Pacific Ocean, showing the Route of the Spanish Frigate the la Princessa commanded by D. Franco Antonio Maurell in 1781

[New Guinea, New Holland, New Caledonia, New Ireland, New Britain, New South Wales, Navigator Islands, Friendly Isles, Samoa, Tonga)

original 220+-year-old copperplate engraving

Sheet size = approximately 15.75 by 10.25 inches

overall age-toning, stains, edge and corner wear and tears, bends. This map is sold "as is" with all flaws

Please click on above image for an enlarged view and to assess condition. Typical age-appropriate toning, foxing, and edge/corner wear or tears are possible. The Darvill's digital watermark does not appear on the actual antique print.

$150
 

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