Grenier, Jacques de. Mémoires de la campagne de découvertes dans les mers des Indes [...].

Brest, R. Malassis, 1770.

4to. (4), 38 pp. With 1 engraved folding map of the Indian Ocean. Contemporary marbled wrappers.

 8,500.00

Rare first edition of this important work that revolutionized navigation in the Indian Ocean. It proposes a new route from the Île de France (now Mauritius) to the Coromandel coast in India. This more direct route shortened the crossing by 800 leagues and greatly facilitated access to the French possessions on the Indian coast, including the city of Pondicherry. In addition, since the trade routes to China stopped on the eastern coast of India, this new, faster route also shortened the journey to the Far East. Because of the need for quick access to the riches of India and China at that time, Grenier's work on the currents of the Indian Ocean was of great importance for the development of French trade. The engraved map displays the currents in the Indian Ocean to be taken into account by any sailor navigating these waters.

Wrappers somewhat waterstained, interior with occasional faint waterstaining near margins. Untrimmed copy. The first edition not seen at auction since 1987.

References

Cordier 2101. Sabin 28763. Brunet II, 1734. Polak 4097. OCLC 166096625.

Stock Code: BN#57301 Tags: , ,