LABAT Jean-Baptiste Nouveaux voyages aux isles de l’Amérique contenant l’histoire naturelle de ce pays, l’originale, les moeurs, la religion & le gouvernement des habitans anciens & modernes.

Sabin 38412 ; Alden-Landis 742-114 ; Nissen, Z.B.I., 2330.*

“New edition, consereably enlarged and with added engravings” (see title). This copy with the address of Le Gras (copies published under the address of Delespine or Cavelier are known). Jean-Baptiste Labat (1663-1738), Dominican missionary, scientist and writer, left for the West Indies in 1693. He is credited with founding the Fonds-Saint-Jacques sugar mill in Sainte-Marie, Martinique, and in particular with helping to develop the sugar cane industry. Returning to Europe in 1706, he began writing his famous work Nouveau vouyage aux isles françoises de l’Amerique, based on his travel diaries.

“This edition is greatly augmented… A very pleasant and instructive work in many respects… The most copious that we possess on the Antilles ; very full on the Natural History and production of those islands” (Sabin, citing Chalmers and Boucher de la Richardière).

Good copy, complete with all its engravings called for, depicting fortifications, maps, plans, plants, and habits of the local population.