Superb copper engraving depicting the inhabitants of Port des Francais on the northwest coast. Drawn by Gaspard Duche de Vancy and engraved by Vincent Marie Langlois. Comte de La Perouse commanded a French scientific expedition to the Pacific in 1785-88. Recognized as one the foremost naval commanders and navigators in France, he was selected by King Louis XVI to complete Captain James Cook's exploration of the western Pacific. La Perouse explored the coasts of the Gulf of Alaska and northwestern North America in search of the fabled Northwest Passage. After leaving America his expedition continued on to Asia where he explored from Kamchatka to Macao and the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. His expedition vanished shortly after leaving Botany Bay, Australia, in 1788.

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Condition: A

Small tear at bottom into title, repaired with archival tape.