Bernardin de Saint Pierre, Jacques-Henri.

Etudes de la Nature [with map of Cook's Voyages].

Paris: Pierre F. Didot & Mequignon, 1784 & 1788. 1st & 3rd edition. Hardcover. The fourth volume contains a 70pp "Avis" in which the author attempts to prove his geographical beliefs by drawing on all three of Cook's voyages and his barimetric readings, as well as Pere Charlevoix in Nouvelle-France; Crevecoeur in Ohio; Linschoten & Barents; Byron; Middleton.

4 volumes, 12mo, with a difficult publication history. The 1st 3 volumes are the 1st edition; the 4th volume states it is the 3rd edition, which is the first edition containing the story of "PAUL ET VIRGINIE", which became wildly popular. The story is set on Isle de France, considered part of the Antarctic territories, and thus is included as Spence 1024.

Volume 1 - 623pp, black and white frontis by Moreau le jeune, a folding map of the Western Hemisphere, "Hemisphere Atlantique" showing the ship route, which goes around Cape Horn and approaches the ice at the Antarctic entitled "Route de Cook autour du Pole"'; Volume 2 - 631pp, 3 folding plates of flowers & botanical subjects; Volume 3 - 574 pp; Volume 4, "Troisieme Edition, revue, corrigee et augmentee", and lists both printers Didot and Mequignon - 532pp, 4pp approbations & privilege du Roi. Copper engraved plates. Bound in period full mottled calf, spine in compartments. Gilt decoration somewhat dulled & spines generally worn with large chip of lower spine of vol. 4, which also has a long verticle split but a most pleasant set, all edges red, pristine internally.

This copy conforms to a copy held by the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, listed separately as OCLC: 1657965; OCLC: 165796566; 165796569; OCLC: 165796572. The 1st 3 volumes published by Didot, 1784; the 4th vol, Didot and Mequignon, and "Troisieme Edition, revue, corrigee et augmentee" Item #8497

Price: $2,500.00