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KERGUELEN-TREMAREC, Yves Joseph de. Realtion de deux voyages dans les mers Australes & des Indes, fait en 1771, 1772, 1773 & 1774, Paris: chez Knapen & Fils, 1782. 8, half title, folding engraved chart, woodcut head- and tailpieces, 2 privilege leaves at the end (O8 with a small hole affecting one letter, lightly waterstained throughout, some leaves heavier, a few spots), contemporary calf, triple gilt border on covers, spine gilt in compartments, red morocco label (joints cracked, head of spine chipped, part of tail of spine torn away, samll flaw on front cover, corners bumped, very rubbed), red edges. Provenance: Kinnaird, bookplate.
VERY RARE FIRST EDITION of this account of the discovery of Kerguelen's Land in the southern hemisphere. After the publication of this work, according to Sabin, most of this edition was seized and destroyed by the French government on account of its dedication "A la Patrie". The present copy has the leaflet stating the work was seized (dated 1783) bound in at the end. "Le Roi tant en son conseil ... a ordonn & ordonne que l'Ouvrage ayant pour titre: Relation de deux Voyages ... sera & demeurera supprim ... Fait trs-expresses inhibitions & dfnses Ga tous Imprimeurs, Libraires, Colporteurs & autres, de rimprimer, vendre, dbiter ou autrement distribuer ledit Ouvrage, peine de punition exemplaire."
Commissioned by the French Government Kerguelen set out to discover the southern continent of Gonneville in 1771, but instead discovered the islands, which were then named after him. Kerguelen was hoping to find a rich southern land and in disappointment to what he found, he called the island afterwards "Desolation Land". Sabin 37618.
VERY RARE FIRST EDITION of this account of the discovery of Kerguelen's Land in the southern hemisphere. After the publication of this work, according to Sabin, most of this edition was seized and destroyed by the French government on account of its dedication "A la Patrie". The present copy has the leaflet stating the work was seized (dated 1783) bound in at the end. "Le Roi tant en son conseil ... a ordonn & ordonne que l'Ouvrage ayant pour titre: Relation de deux Voyages ... sera & demeurera supprim ... Fait trs-expresses inhibitions & dfnses Ga tous Imprimeurs, Libraires, Colporteurs & autres, de rimprimer, vendre, dbiter ou autrement distribuer ledit Ouvrage, peine de punition exemplaire."
Commissioned by the French Government Kerguelen set out to discover the southern continent of Gonneville in 1771, but instead discovered the islands, which were then named after him. Kerguelen was hoping to find a rich southern land and in disappointment to what he found, he called the island afterwards "Desolation Land". Sabin 37618.