VANCOUVER, George, Captain (1757-1798). Voyage de Decouvertes, a l'Ocean Pacifique du Nord, et autour du Monde. Translated by P.H. Henry. Paris: L'Imprimerie de la Republique, An VIII [1799-1800].

3 volumes (of 4, text volumes only lacking atlas), 4to (285 x 208 mm). Half-titles; engraved map, 17 engraved plates (some spotting and offsetting, a few quires browned.) 19th-century tree calf gilt, smooth spines gilt, red and green morocco lettering-pieces gilt (rebacked preserving original spines). Provenance: Collector's bookplate, a few pencil marks.

FIRST EDITION IN FRENCH. Vancouver's Voyage is among the most important in exploration literature. Vancouver served on Captain Cook's second and third voyages and was made commander of a large-scale expedition to re-establish British rights in the Pacific. The Nootka Convention established that the expedition would examine and chart the coast south to 60° in search of a passage to the Atlantic. "This voyage became one of the most important ever made in the interests of geographical knowledge" (Hill). Beginning from England in 1791 and sailing around Australia, Vancouver discovered King George's Sound and Cape Hood. In three seasons, Vancouver surveyed the coast of California, visited San Francisco and San Diego, met with the Spanish at Nootka, investigated the Strait of Juan de Fuca, discovered the Strait of Georgia, circumnavigated Vancouver Island, and disproved the existence of a passage between the Pacific and Hudson's Bay. Vancouver died en route. Ferguson 320b; Sabin 98441; See Hill 1753 (English edition); Lada-Mocarski 55.

VANCOUVER, George, Captain (1757-1798). Voyage de Decouvertes, a l'Ocean Pacifique du Nord, et autour du Monde. Translated by P.H. Henry. Paris: L'Imprimerie de la Republique, An VIII [1799-1800].