Lovely title page from this important eighteenth century atlas of the expedition of Jean-Francois de Galoup, Comte de La Perouse. The scene centers on a map of the world that shows the route of the expedition with classical muses, an angel, putti and Native Americans gathered around the map. 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. When he reached Asia he sent the ship's log, and the plans and maps that had been prepared, from Kamchatka overland back to Paris. He then continued on to the South Pacific and Australia, where the expedition perished in 1788.

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Condition: B

Beautiful impression. Light scattered foxing, repaired hole at center and some marginal soiling.