first edition leather_bound
1796 · London
by Le Vaillant, Francois
London: G.G. and J. Robinson, 1796. First English edition. leather_bound. Contemporary full brown calf, rebacked in antique style, armorial gilt escutcheons front and back covers, raised bands, gilt decorated spine panels, marbled endpapers with matching edges. 3 vols. Very good. 288, 383 and 488 pages. 22 x 14 cm. Large folding map, 22 engraved plates, five folding. Le Vaillant, explorer and ornithologist was sent by the Dutch East India Company [he was born in Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana, son of the French consul] to the Cape Province of South Africa in 1781. He made two expeditions, one east from the Cape and one north of the Orange River into Great Namaqualand and the Kalahari desert. BRUNET Vol.III, p.1034. Scattered, intermittent foxing, one centimeter clean tear in map gutter repaired with archival tape, extremities lightly rubbed and darkened. (Inventory #: 19180)