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CHAPPE D'AUTEROCHE, Jean. A Voyage to California, to observe the Transit of Venus with an historical Description of the Author's Route through Mexico, and the Natural History of that Province. Also, a Voyage to Newfoundland and Sallee, to make experiments on Mr. Le Roy's Time Keepers. By Monsieur de Cassini. London: printed for Edward and Charles Dilly, 1778.
8o (198 x 127 mm). Engraved folding plan of Mexico City (short tears along folds, some creasing to plate and text, minor staining). Modern half leather and boards.
"A THRILLING ACCOUNT OF A RACE AGAINST TIME TO REACH LOWER CALIFORNIA BEFORE THE TRANSIT OF VENUS OCCURRED" (Streeter sale)
FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH. "After nerve-racking delays, which began in Spain, and narrow escapes from disaster, the goal was reached late in May. Two days after the transit was observed a malignant fever spread through the little group and Chappe d'Auteroche, who nursed the sick and dying, took it himself and died on the first of August, (1769)" (See Streeter sale IV:2443 for the first edition.) "This volume is enlarged with accounts of a further expedition to Newfoundland. In the account of this voyage Count Cassini, who was the director of the Paris Observatory, gives a long description of the American cod fishery. He also gives a long account of the town of Salé, Morocco" (Hill). Hill 279; Howes C-299; Sabin 12004; Wagner Spanish Southwest 158a.
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"A THRILLING ACCOUNT OF A RACE AGAINST TIME TO REACH LOWER CALIFORNIA BEFORE THE TRANSIT OF VENUS OCCURRED" (Streeter sale)
FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH. "After nerve-racking delays, which began in Spain, and narrow escapes from disaster, the goal was reached late in May. Two days after the transit was observed a malignant fever spread through the little group and Chappe d'Auteroche, who nursed the sick and dying, took it himself and died on the first of August, (1769)" (See Streeter sale IV:2443 for the first edition.) "This volume is enlarged with accounts of a further expedition to Newfoundland. In the account of this voyage Count Cassini, who was the director of the Paris Observatory, gives a long description of the American cod fishery. He also gives a long account of the town of Salé, Morocco" (Hill). Hill 279; Howes C-299; Sabin 12004; Wagner Spanish Southwest 158a.