16th-19th Century Works from Librairie Thomas-Scheler
- by Michael Stillman
Preparing tobacco in America.
Item 41 is a first edition of the account of what is likely the greatest of all French explorations, the long voyage of Jean-Francois de La Perouse. The title is Voyage autour du Monde, and it was prepared by La Perouse and sent back home in parts from various ports he visited. King Louis XVI sent La Perouse out on his voyage in 1785 to follow up on the recent discoveries by James Cook and to attempt to find a northwest passage to the Orient through Arctic waters. Like numerous explorers both before and after him, La Perouse did not find a northwest passage, but sent back much scientific, geographic and natural history information he collected. He traveled up the Pacific coast of North America, visited Hawaii, China, the Philippines, Korea, Japan, China and Russia. His last stop was Botany Bay in Australia. There, as he had done before, he sent back the latest installments on his journey. That proved to be most fortunate as once he left Australia, headed east, La Perouse was never heard from again. His whereabouts was a great mystery, and several expeditions were sent out to find him, all without success. It would not be until 40 years later that remains from his wreck would be found along the reefs off Vanikoro Island, explaining the tragic end to his mission. €35,000 (US $48,037).
Item 29 is one of those books in English: Specimens of ancient decorations from Pompeii, by John Goldicutt, published in 1825. Goldicutt spent several years in Italy studying ancient Pompeii. He intended this work to be an aid to interior decorating, based on decorations from Pompeii. €3,800 (US $5,215).
