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FLEURIEU, Charles Pierre Claret, Comte de. Découvertes des François, en 1768 & 1769, dans le sud-est de la Nouvelle Guinée et Reconnoissances postérieurs des mêmes Terres par les Navigateurs Anglois qui leur ont imposé de nouveaux noms; précédées de l'Abrégé historique des Navigations & des Découvertes des Espagnols dans les mêmes Parages. Paris: Imprimerie Royale, 1790.
4o (252 x 193 mm). 12 folding engraved maps and charts, directions to binder and errata (some spotting and soft creasing). Contemporary French calf-backed boards (some wear and soiling). Provenance: Bibliotheque du Seminaire Ste. Therese, Quebec (ink stamps on title).
FIRST EDITION of this fervent promotion of the French explorers in the South Seas, especially Bougainville and Surville, over those of English explorers, most particularly in the Solomon Islands. Fleurieu's history of the discovery and re-discovery of the Solomons covers the voyages of Mendaña in 1567 to Bougainville in 1768, Surville in 1769 and Shortland in 1788. He further chronicles the originality of other French discoveries, in the New Hebrides, New Ireland, New Caledonia and the Santa Cruz group, from printed and manuscript accounts in Spanish and English. The interesting maps are of actual discoveries or are based on the author's theories, and the appendix by Buache is on the existence and exact position of the Solomon Islands. During Fleurieu's long naval career he was renowned as a strategist, historian, cartographer and marine horologist, and his theories were more than confirmed by D'Entrecasteaux's unsuccessful voyage in search of La Pérouse. Ferguson 81; Hill 610; Kroepelien 436; Sabin 24748.
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FIRST EDITION of this fervent promotion of the French explorers in the South Seas, especially Bougainville and Surville, over those of English explorers, most particularly in the Solomon Islands. Fleurieu's history of the discovery and re-discovery of the Solomons covers the voyages of Mendaña in 1567 to Bougainville in 1768, Surville in 1769 and Shortland in 1788. He further chronicles the originality of other French discoveries, in the New Hebrides, New Ireland, New Caledonia and the Santa Cruz group, from printed and manuscript accounts in Spanish and English. The interesting maps are of actual discoveries or are based on the author's theories, and the appendix by Buache is on the existence and exact position of the Solomon Islands. During Fleurieu's long naval career he was renowned as a strategist, historian, cartographer and marine horologist, and his theories were more than confirmed by D'Entrecasteaux's unsuccessful voyage in search of La Pérouse. Ferguson 81; Hill 610; Kroepelien 436; Sabin 24748.