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 (truncated)