Hennepin, Louis

A New Discovery of a Vast Country in America, Extending above Four Thousand Miles, between New France and New Mexico. With a Description of the Great Lakes, Cataracts, Rivers, Plants, and Animals ... With a Continuation: Giving an Account of the Attempts of Sieur de la Salle upon the Mines of St. Barbe, &c., the Taking of Quebec by the English; with Advantages of a Shorter Cut to China and Japan ... London: for M. Bentley, J. Tonson, H. Bonwick, T. Goodwin, and S. Manship, 1698



2 volumes in one, 8vo (7 3/8 x 4 1/2 in.; 186 x 114 mm). Engraved frontispiece title, letterpress title, 2 folding engraved maps, 6 folding engraved plates; all maps and plates backed with linen, some offset from plates on neighboring text pages, minor tear in lower inner margin of leaf A3 mended with cello tape, light dampstain in foremargin of a few preliminary leaves, some pencil annotations. Contemporary panelled calf, gilt roll-tooled borders and gilt-stamped floral pieces at four corners of central panel, spine gilt, marbled endpapers; rebacked with original spine laid down, covers and extremities rubbed.

Church 772; European Americana 698/99; Field 685 (var.); Greenley 8; Graff 1862; Jones 364; Sabin 31371; Streeter sale 1:106; Wing H1450

all maps and plates backed with linen, some offset from plates on neighboring text pages, minor tear in lower inner margin of leaf A3 mended with cello tape, light dampstain in foremargin of a few preliminary leaves, some pencil annotations. Contemporary panelled calf, gilt roll-tooled borders and gilt-stamped floral pieces at four corners of central panel, spine gilt, marbled endpapers; rebacked with original spine laid down, covers and extremities rubbed.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

First English edition, the so-called "Bon" issue (from the imprint). Although his works generated a great deal of controversy, Hennepin made invaluable contributions to the historiography of the North American continent and to the understanding of its indigenous peoples. This English edition combines translations of his Nouvelle Découverte (1697) and his Nouveau Voyage (1698). In the latter he describes La Salle's explorations and his murder, as well as the English capture of Quebec. His account of the discoveries of Jolliet and Marquette present here were not included in the French edition.