Fine Books and Manuscripts

Voyages Du Baron De La Hontan dans L'Amerique Septentrionale... The Hague: Jonas L'Honore, 1705.2 vols. Small 8vo, full speckled calf, rebacked, gilt-tooled and -lettered spines, titles printed in red and black. Housed in custom blind-stamped calf clamshell case, green cloth chemise. Complete with 28 engraved plates including frontispieces and two large folding maps. The two large folding maps show the Great Lakes regions, as drawn by the author himself, illustrating early settlements, forts, and Native American territories, as well as a geographically inaccurate depiction of the Great Lakes and surrounding topography that impacted and confused future generations of explorers.Lahontan came to New France in 1683 as captain of a regiment which he led in expeditions against the Iroquois. He traveled west in 1687 with Duluth and was given command of Fort St. Joseph on the St. Clair River. He left this post in 1688, venturing further west by the Fox-Wisconsin portage and reached the upper Mississippi. His work is considered one of the first comprehensive descriptions of the western part of the continent. Bookplate tipped to verso of title page, both vols.; scattered spotting; previous owner's ex-libris to title pages; darkening to some leaves.