Paris: Imprimerie Royale,, 1833-5. Scientifically and artistically a highly important expedition First edition of Laplace's comprehensive first voyage to the Pacific. "This valuable work, full of important scientific information, was published by order of the French government. It is accompanied by an Atlas historique... [of] seventy-two beautiful plates, proof impressions on India paper, which are perhaps the finest series of plates to any of the picturesque voyages" (Sabin). In December 1829 Laplace (1793-1875) was commissioned to take an expedition to India, the East Indies, and South East Asia, on the 680-ton corvette La Favorite, "and then if he chose to do so, proceed through the South Pacific" (Howgego). "The purpose of this voyage was to show the French flag in eastern and other waters, in order to re-establish French influence over Indo-China and the Pacific. The voyage was also very successful scientifically... The hydrographic work was thorough and reliable, the work done in the Anamba and Natuna groups of Malaysia was valuable, and a good collection of natural history specimens was brought back. Laplace visited Singapore, Manila, Canton, Batavia, Chile, and other ports" (Hill). Remarkably, Laplace lost just twenty-one men across his 482 days at sea, and there had been no desertions, "a tribute to Laplace's popularity and sensible leadership" (Howgego). Two volumes covering the zoology of the expedition were issued later, in 1839, comprising text and plates; these are rarely found and are, in fact, not mentioned in the catalogue of the celebrated Hill Collection of Pacific voyages. The beautiful aquatint plates are by the Swiss-born printmaker Sigismond Himely, principally after the naval officers Barthélémy Lauvergne, who later accompanied Vaillant on his circumnavigation, François-Edmond Pâris, and Louis Auguste Sainson. These are really exquisitely executed and fully warrant Sabin's glowing encomium. 4 text vols, octavo (230 x 146 mm), 2 atlas folio vols. Atlas hydrographique: 11 engraved maps (9 double-page); Atlas historique: 72 sepia-toned aquatint plates of views, costume, and maritime scenery, printed on papier de chine, press-mounted onto larger sheets, with tissue guards; text vols with wood-engraved vignettes. Text vols in contemporary red quarter morocco, spines with four raised bands, gilt lettered direct in the second and fourth compartments, other compartments with panels of gilt fillets and dots, red pebble-grain cloth sides panelled in blind, sanguine speckled edges, Spanish on Turkish marbled endpapers; folios vols uniformly bound to style by Atelier Laurenchet. A little wear to corners, couple of old ink stains to front cover of vol. III, scattered foxing throughout. A very attractive set. Hill 980; Sabin 38985.
