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Details
TONTI, Henri de (1650-1704). Dernieres Decouvertes dans L'Amerique Septentrionale de M. de la Sale. Paris: Jean Guignard, 1697.
12o (161 x 90 mm). Printer's device on title, 6-page publisher's advertisements at end, blanks preserved. Contemporary French mottled calf, spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece (some light rubbing).
"THE MOST WORTHY AND RELIABLE REPORTS OF LASALLE'S EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH THE FRENCH EMPIRE IN AMERICA" (Greenly)
A FINE COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, with the uncancelled leaves Q1-2, comprising the section on pearls. Tonti's is the first book to recount La Salle's final expedition. Tonti had been left in charge of the settlement in Illinois when La Salle returned to France. He was to meet La Salle at the mouth of the Mississippi in 1686, but La Salle missed the rendezvous, causing Tonti to return to Illinois. Tonti claimed not to have written the narrative, but scholars have proved that the account is based on his journals recording the narrative of the survivors who returned to Fort St. Louis. While there was no contemporary account of La Salle's expedition published, Tonti's work, together with those of LeClercq, Joutel and Hennepin, provide the story of La Salle's opening of the North American interior to Europeans. Both issues of Tonti's book are very rare, with only four copies appearing at auction in the last thirty years according to American Book Prices Current. Alden & Landis 697/58; Graff 4164; Greenly, pp.18-20; Harrisse 174; Howes T294; JCB (IV) p.346; Sabin 96172; Wagner, Spanish Southwest 67.
12o (161 x 90 mm). Printer's device on title, 6-page publisher's advertisements at end, blanks preserved. Contemporary French mottled calf, spine gilt, red morocco lettering piece (some light rubbing).
"THE MOST WORTHY AND RELIABLE REPORTS OF LASALLE'S EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH THE FRENCH EMPIRE IN AMERICA" (Greenly)
A FINE COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION, FIRST ISSUE, with the uncancelled leaves Q1-2, comprising the section on pearls. Tonti's is the first book to recount La Salle's final expedition. Tonti had been left in charge of the settlement in Illinois when La Salle returned to France. He was to meet La Salle at the mouth of the Mississippi in 1686, but La Salle missed the rendezvous, causing Tonti to return to Illinois. Tonti claimed not to have written the narrative, but scholars have proved that the account is based on his journals recording the narrative of the survivors who returned to Fort St. Louis. While there was no contemporary account of La Salle's expedition published, Tonti's work, together with those of LeClercq, Joutel and Hennepin, provide the story of La Salle's opening of the North American interior to Europeans. Both issues of Tonti's book are very rare, with only four copies appearing at auction in the last thirty years according to American Book Prices Current. Alden & Landis 697/58; Graff 4164; Greenly, pp.18-20; Harrisse 174; Howes T294; JCB (IV) p.346; Sabin 96172; Wagner, Spanish Southwest 67.