LA HARPE, Jean François de. - Lot 36

LA HARPE, Jean François de. Atlas pour l'Abrégé des voyages. A Paris, chez Moutardier, (An VIe 1798-An IX-1801). In-4 (25 x 29 cm), 76 maps mounted on tabs. Green posterior half-basane, smooth spine, "atlas" stamped on spine (spine faded, corners rubbed, title page and side margin of map of Arabia restored, and one corner of map of Congo, small stain on map of Hudson Bay, small lack at title on map of Tahiti). First edition. Atlas of Jean François de La Harpe's Abrégé de l'Histoire Générale des Voyages, contenant ce qu'il y a de plus remarquable, de plus utile et de mieux avéré, dans les pays où les voyageurs ont pénétré, les mœurs des habitans..., taken from Abbé Prévost's work. It comprises 76 black copper-engraved maps, many of which are fold-out or double-page spreads. The atlas includes a mappemonde (Essay d'une Carte réduite, containing the known parts of the globe), as well as maps illustrating the main regions of the world explored: various parts of Asia (including China and Japan), the East Indies, Africa, North and South America, with maritime routes of the great expeditions. The work is reputed to contain all the first voyages to America (Sabin). First published in Paris between 1780 and 1804, the Abrégé originally appeared in 44 in-8 volumes, accompanied by an atlas in-4. Its success led to reprints in the XIXᵉ century. Sabin, 38632.