PBA Galleries

xiv, 298, [2] pp. 37 engraved maps and plates, some folding. 25x18.5 cm (9¾x7¼") full contemporary speckled calf, neatly rebacked, red and green morocco gilt spine labels. First Edition.

Complete with 37 plates, including Plate IX, showing a Chilean playing La Sueca, commonly regarded as the earliest depiction of a form of golf. "Frézier, a French royal military engineer, was under contract to sail to the Spanish possessions in South America to construct forts for defense against English and Dutch attacks. The French government also ordered him to chart the western coast of South America, in order that they would have some knowledge of that area for possible military operations. The first part of this book gives an interesting account of the voyage from France around Cape Horn and was used by contemporary and even by later navigators. The second part relates to the voyage along the coasts of Chile and Peru, describing the chief towns and cities. Frézier, a man of observation, brought back information of consideration geographical and scientific value" (Hill). Hill I, p. 115; Hill II, p.231 Sabin 25925.