La Pérouse, Jean François Galaup, comte de

First edition, 4 volumes text and atlas, together 5 volumes, 4to (310 x 228mm.) and folio (565 x 415mm.), text with half-titles, engraved portrait, vol.1-3 with colophon leaves (not called for in vol.4 where the last leaf is blank), original blue boards with printed labels on spines, unopened and uncut, neat library stamps on titles, bindings somewhat rubbed, slight loss to labels, atlas with engraved pictorial title and 69 plates and maps, comprising 38 plates and 31 maps (21 of latter folding), nineteenth-century morocco-backed boards, [Borba de Moraes p.449; Ferguson 251; Hill (2004) 972; Sabin 38960], folding maps strengthened at folds, last plate slightly stained and with short tear in margin repaired

After the disappointment of Kerguelen's failure, this expedition was the looked-for success in answer to the voyages of Captain Cook, and the first to be published on the grand scale that came to characterize the results of the major French expeditions.

La Pérouse's instructions were to explore those regions not covered by Cook, to seek out an interoceanic passage, make scientific observations, and obtain reliable information on the fur trade and the extent of the Spanish settlements in California. The expedition visited Easter Island, Hawaii, Macao, Formosa, the Aleutian Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Australia. La Pérouse sent his dispatches back to France from Kamchatka and Botany Bay, but after departing from Botany Bay the expedition was never heard from again. Although a search party was sent out under the command of Entrecasteaux, it was not until 39 years later, that the wrecks were found in Vanikoro.

Some copies have the portrait in both the text volume and atlas, though here, as seemingly often, it is just present in the text volume.