Chappe d'Auteroche, Jean. - Lot 1

Chappe d'Auteroche, Jean. Voyage en Californie pour l'Observation du passage de Vénus sur le disque du soleil le 3 juin 1769; contenant les observations de ce phénomène, et la description historique du chemin de l'Auteur à travers le Mexique, par feu M. Chappe d'Auteroche, de l'Académie Royale des Sciences. Paris, C.A. Jombert, 1772, one volume. In-4 marbled calf, gilt fillets, smooth spine with gilt designs. First edition with 3 copper-engraved plates and a large folded plan of Mexico City. Although Chappe had previously made similar observations in Siberia under difficult conditions (the transit of Venus over the sun's disk), he was not to cope well with California's scorching climate. Like most of his companions, he died shortly after his observations. After repatriating his notes and material, the astronomer J.D. Il Cassini edited and published the work based on his papers. (Good overall condition, some dampstaining).