MAURITIUS (Mascarenhas)

Milbert, M. J. [Jacques-Gérard Milbert (18 November 1766 - 5 June 1840) was a French naturalist and artist].

(Book #ID 95296)

Published Paris, A. Nepveu, Libraire, Passage des Panoramas, N°. 26 First Edition 1812. 1812.

Set comprising two volumes of text, 8vo. 8½'' x 6'', and one volume atlas, large landscape 12¼'' x 17¾''. Recently rebound uniform matching first edition hard back binding in half speckled chestnut brown leather, raised bands, gilt lines, gilt title lettering and tools to the spines, hand sewn headbands, hand marbled sides and end papers. In 1800, Milbert embarked on Nicolas Baudin's voyage to Australia. During the voyage, Milbert and several other artists became ill, and the artists and the captain came into conflict. This caused several artists, including Milbert, to leave the voyage at Mauritius, leaving Charles-Alexandre Lesueur to produce the voyage's scientific drawings. Milbert returned to France, where in 1812 he published this series of views of Mauritius, the Cape Colony and Tenerife, comprising two octavo volumes of text, and one quarto volume of plates. Volume I xiv., 392 pp (+ 2 including errata). Volume II 390 pp (+ 1 Table) + 3 folded tables. The set we are offering has the atlas book of plates presented, not as quarto, but, very unusually as much larger landscape views. Atlas with uncut edges containing 45 tissue-guarded scenic views and fold-out maps. The fold-out plates consist of: cross section plate map N° 3 17'' x 21''., plate map N° 4 Port of Napoleon 17'' x 21''., plate map N° 5 Island of Mauritius 17'' x 21''., plate view N° 38 View of Port of Napoleon 21'' x 12''., plate view N° 39 View of Port of Napoleon 21'' x 12''. All housed in 19'' x 13½'' blue-grey felt lined clam shell box in Arbelave buckram, gilt titled to the front board. Age darkening to the end papers of the text books, some tissue guards are loose, the plates are clean and free from any tears or foxing but do have uneven uncut edges. Member of the P.B.F.A.

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