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CHAPPE D'AUTEROCHE, Jean.
A Voyage to California, to observe the Transit of Venus.
With an historical Description of the Author's Route through Mexico, and the Natural History of that Province. Also, a Voyage to Newfoundland and Sallee, to make Experiments on Mr. Le Roy's Time Keepers. By Monsieur de Cassini.
First edition in English of two works edited for publication by Count Cassini, first published at Paris in 1772 and 1770 respectively. "A great deal of interest was taken in the transit of Venus. The French government had two expeditions in the field … The British government also sent Captain Cook out to Tahiti for the same purpose. Streeter calls this 'a thrilling account of a race against time to reach Baja California before the transit of Venus occurred.' … [the second part is] an account of a further expedition to Newfoundland. Cassini, who was director of the Paris Observatory, gives a long description of the American cod fishery in the account of the latter voyage. He also gives an account of the town of Salé, Morocco" (Hill). In the event the party arrived in California at the appointed time "but three days after the passing of Venus, Chappe and others in the expedition succumbed to a contagious fever, known as the 'black vomit' [yellow fever]" (Howgego).
Octavo (210 × 126 mm). Modern sprinkled half calf, marbled boards, red and green labels to the spine, raised bands, gilt devices to the compartments, marbled endpapers, red edge-stain. Folding plan of Mexico City as a frontispiece, half-title bound in. Light toning, some light foxing, a very nice copy, attractively bound.
