Antoine Simon Le Page du Pratz, 1758

LE PAGE DU PRATZ, Antoine Simon (c.1695–1775). Histoire de la Louisiane. Paris: Bure, Delaguette and Lambert, 1758.

First edition of Le Page du Pratz’s early account from the American south. In 1718, Le Page du Pratz began his sixteen-year sojourn in North America. Based in Louisiana, Le Page du Pratz traveled extensively along the Mississippi, reaching as far as present-day Memphis. His subsequent writings on the life, history and ecology, with particular focus on the slave trade and indigenous populations, established Le Page du Pratz as a principal authority on French Louisiana (Stevens, Rare Americana, p. 385). Clark Old South I:75; Graff 2462; Streeter sale 127.

Three volumes, 12mo (167 x 98mm). Half-titles, errata at end of vol. III. 2 folding maps: "Carte de la Louisiane” and “Golfe du Mexique”); folding plan of New Orleans; 35 plates (only, of 40, small 10mm tear to large folding map affecting only the border, some small tears to fore-edge of vol. III, light toning). Contemporary marbled calf (rebacked to style, some cracking, chip to lower cover of vol. 1). Provenance: James Lorimer Graham (bookplate in each) – The Horticultural Society of New York (ex-libris plate in each).