xiii, [1], 190, [2] pp. With 25 plates from drawings, engravings, aquatints, etc., some color, 3 double-page. 28.5x23 cm. (11¾x9"), period (or original?) gilt-pictorial red boards backed with cloth, with the original printed wrappers bound in. First Edition.
Scarce original publication of this journal kept from 1817 to 1820. Hill notes that "This important journal was written by the wife of Louis de Freycinet, a rare female passenger on a naval voyage, and it remained unpublished for nearly a century. Smuggled on board because she could not bear to be separated from her husband, Rose's presence was made public to the crew only after the vessel was well out of sight of the French coast. The crew was not entirely comfortable with the situation, but it is clear from her journal that Rose fashioned herself a good sailor and enjoyed life at sea. While her anomalous presence raised many an eyebrow at various ports of call, she was more often than not welcomed at the homes and dinner parties of various dignitaries. Her journal reveals a young and vivacious woman who made keen observations on the peoples and places she encountered. The journal is here illustrated with several unpublished drawings by the expedition's artist, Jacques Arango..." Views include those of Rio de Janeiro, Port Jackson, and the islands of Bourbon, Timor, Caroline, and Hawaii. Most copies were simply bound in the original wrappers, this copy bound in boards with imprint of Rombaldi, Editeur, with the wrappers included. Perhaps it was some kind of special issue.
Condition:
Boards with wear, edges rubbed, joints splitting and fraying, rear cover coming loose, spine gilt dull; some darkening to margins, lower corner of title page chipped; very good.