This is a facsimile of the three text volumes and accompanying atlas covering the voyage of Count Friedrich Lutke (also known by his Russian name Fyodor Litke), originally published in 1835-36. Lutke was originally commissioned by Tsar Nicholas I to command the Seniavin as a warship in the North Pacific, but after tensions settled between Russia and the United States and Great Britain, the mission was changed to a surveying expedition along the Alaskan and Asian coasts. The extremely rare French-language account of his voyage offered geographers a wealth of new information on the mapping of Alaska and the Bering Sea. French text. Volume I - 410 pages with two folding maps; Volume II - 387 pages with one folding map; Volume III - 352 pages with one folding map. The atlas features 5 black & white maps and 51 plates showing scenes from the voyage and ethnographic subjects, with accompanying explanatory text. The set's four volumes form entries #58 through #61 in Nico Israel and Da Capo Press' 75-volume Bibliotheca Australiana series. Hardbound in simulated vellum featuring blue title plates on cover and spine with gilt lettering.

References:

Condition: B+

Text volumes are near fine with minor toning on endpapers and pastedowns and faint soiling on the covers. Covers are protected by Mylar jackets. Hinges are starting in atlas volume, and its covers have light soiling and minor shelf wear.