PHIPPS (Constantine John). - Lot 49

PHIPPS (Constantine John). Voyage au Pôle Boréal, fait en 1773, par ordre du roi d'Angleterre. Paris: Saillant & Nyon, Pissot, 1775. - In-4, 255x194: xij, 259 pp, (2 ff.), 3 maps, 9 plates. Marbled calf, ornate spine, red edges (period binding). Chadenat, 661. - Sabin, 62574. First edition of the French translation of this account of the voyage to the North Pole by British explorer and naturalist Constantin John Phipps (1744-1792). The translation is by Jean Nicolas Demeunier, revised by Chevalier de Fleurieu. Phipps undertook this voyage in 1773, with the aim of getting as close as possible to the Boreal Pole via Spitsbergen. He was accompanied by naturalist Dr. Irving and astronomer Israel Lyons. Although the expedition was a failure, it led to a number of scientific advances in coastal knowledge, natural history and the use of marine watches. It was in this work that the polar bear (Ursus Maritimus) was first described as a species in its own right and not, as was then customary, as a variety of the brown bear. The edition is illustrated with 3 folding maps and 9 engraved plates by Pierre-Claude Delagardette (1745-1792?). There are also several tables, including 11 fold-outs included in the pagination. A very well preserved copy in contemporary binding. It is complete with the Avis au relieur leaf, which is often missing.