Peron, François.

First edition, 3 volumes (2 volumes text and 1 volume atlas), 4to (310 x 226mm.) and folio (360 x 270mm.), text with half-titles, "Rapport..." and errata at end of volume 1, engraved portrait and 2 folding tables in volume 2, atlas [part 1 only, see footnote], with engraved title, 4pp. printed text, and 40 engraved plates after Lesueur and Petit, 2 folding, 23 coloured by hand, bindings: text bound in modern green calf-backed boards, uncut, atlas bound in original boards in green morocco-backed boards chemise and slipcase to match text volumes, uncut, [Hill p.229-30; Ferguson 449], plate 26 (Timor) supplied from another copy, text with slight worming in margin at pp.25-40 and pp.329-359 of vol.1 (the latter just affecting text), occasional slight staining or browning, boards somewhat rubbed and rebacked

A handsome copy. The narrative of the voyage, during which the commander Baudin died, was begun by Peron, the naturalist, and completed by Freycinet after Peron had also died. The voyage made significant visits to Western Australia and Tasmania as well as to Sydney, and took back to France an important collection of natural history specimens.

The atlas contains fine, and often coloured, illustrations of coastal profiles, natives, natural history, views, etc. after Lesueur and Petit, though it does not contain, as is sometimes the case, the second part with the folding maps and plans. (See also lot 126).