[NOUVELLE GUINEE] [CLARET DE FLEURIEU] - Lot 60

[NOUVELLE GUINEE] [CLARET DE FLEURIEU] Découvertes des François, en 1768 & 1769 dans le Sud- Est de la Nouvelle Guinée & Reconnoissance postérieure des mêmes Terres des navigateurs Anglois qui leur ont imposé de nouveaux noms: précédées de l'Abrégé historique des Navigations & des découvertes des discoveries in the same areas. By M.***, former Capitaine de vaisseau. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1790. In-4 half calf with corners, spine highly decorated with small irons, title page. Xvi pp. iv pp. 309 pp. 12 folding plates including 10 large maps. Pages [iii] and [iv] (Avis au relieur et errata) have been placed after the table of contents instead of after the title. There does not appear to have been a faux-titre, according to another digitized copy and the pagination. One spine split over 3 cm, corners dulled, boards and spine slightly rubbed, paper yellowed in places, some light foxing. Original edition. The author was an excellent hydrographer, appointed Minister of the Navy in 1790.