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FRÉZIER, Amédée-François (1682-1773)
A Voyage to the South-Sea, and Along the Coasts of Chili and Peru, in the Years 1712, 1713, and 1714, particularly describing the genius and constitution of the inhabitants, as well Indians as Spaniards: their customs and manners; their natural history, mines, commodities, traffick with Europe, &c. ... With a postscript by Dr. Edmund Halley
London: Printed for Jonah Bowyer, 1717. 4to (9 3/8 x 7 inches). Title in red and black. 37 engraved maps and views (22 maps [15 folding], 13 plates [1 folding] and 2 folding profiles). Contemporary panelled calf (rebacked), modern dark blue shot silk-covered box.
First English edition of this important Pacific voyage, after the original French of the previous year.
This book is unusual in that, with the exception of the specially produced frontispiece/route map, all the maps and plates are printed from the same printing plates as were used for the engravings in the first edition (in French) which was published in Paris in 1716. According to Hill the present first edition in English "is preferred ... because it contains a postscript by Edmund Halley ... which corrects certain geographical errors made by Frézier." Other authorities agree: "This English edition is much sought after" (Borba de Moraes). "The relation of M. Frezier has always been highly esteemed from his character as an author of great truthfulness, as well as for the numerous exact maps with which it is illustrated" (Field). A "production of unrivaled interest and beauty" (Sabin).
The author, "a French Royal military engineer, was under contract to sail to Spanish possessions in South America to construct forts for defense against English and Dutch attacks. The French government also ordered him to chart the western coast of South America ... The first part of this book gives an interesting account of the voyage from France around Cape Horn ... The second part relates to the voyage along the coasts of Chile and Peru, describing the chief towns and cities. The observant Frézier brought back information of considerable geographical and scientific value. Much data is included about the native inhabitants ... Frézier introduced the ancestor of the modern strawberry to France from Chile." (Hill p.231)
The maps depict South America or the location of anchorages and cities visited during the voyage. The plates illustrate the natives and their customs.
Borba de Moraes, p.329; Cox II, 627; European Americana 717/66; Field 568; Hill (2004) 654; Sabin 25924; Spence 482.
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#20395 $5,750.00 
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© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
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