Hawkesworth, J(ohn): Relation des voyages entrepris par ordre de Sa Majesté britannique, actuellement regnante, pour faire des découvertes dans l’hémisphère méridional. 4 Vol. Paris: Saillant, Nyon u. Panckoucke 1774. 25 x 19,5 cm. With 52 copperplate maps and plates, engraved and folded. 2 leaves, IV pp., 1 leaf, pp. V–XVI, 1 leaf, XXXII, 388 pp.; 3 leaves, 536 pp.; 3 leaves, 394 pp., 1 leaf; 1 leaf, VII, 367 pp. Marbled calfskin with 5 bands featuring gold-embossed cover fillets, 2 spine labels and spine decoration

(Scuffed and slightly bumped; corners partially split; cover with minor scratches and scuff marks. The large map of the South Seas in Vol. 1 has a small tear in the centre fold, which has been reinforced. Text leaf Fff² of the second volume has a small defect to the margin. Slightly browned in places and with minor age spots. Hand-printed bookplate in red ink and signature labels on the front endpapers.)

Beddie 659. Sabin 30940. - First French edition. - A complete collection of the accounts of the southern hemisphere voyages of discovery undertaken on behalf of the British Crown by Captain Byron aboard the Dolphin, Captain Carteret aboard the Swallow, Captain Wallis aboard the Dolphin and Captain Cook aboard the Endeavour. The French edition was not only an important contribution to the popularisation of the great British voyages of discovery on the continent, but also a significant factor in the scientific rivalry between the European powers. - Includes an extensive collection of maps and views.