LE PAGE DU PRATZ, Antoine-Simon (1695?-1775). Histoire de la Louisiane, Contenant la Decouverte de ce vaste Pays. Paris: Bure, Delaguette and Lambert, 1758.

3 volumes, 12mo (167 x 96 mm). Half-titles, 2 engraved folding maps, 40 engraved plates (6 of which are folding, including a plan), errata at the end of vol. I. (Slight spotting and toning, some minor chipping and offsetting, a few short tears to maps near stubs just crossing the border.) Late 18th-century mottled calf gilt, dark brown calf lettering-pieces gilt, red-stained edges (recased preserving the majority of spine and sides, minor wear to extremities).

FIRST EDITION of "one of the most useful contemporary authorities on French Louisiana" (Streeter). COMPLETE, with all maps, folding plates, illustrations, and the errata slip. Based on Le Page du Pratz's 16 years living in Louisiana, from 1718 to 1734, Histoire de la Louisiane includes minute details related to the Natchez and other Native American tribes living in that region related to customs, government, language, manners, and wars, as well as documenting French claims to the southern territory east of the Mississippi River. "It is difficult to procure his work complete in all the plates and maps, which should number forty-two" (Field 910). Graff 2462; Howes L-266; Raines, p. 73; Sabin 40122; Streeter sale I:127; Wagner-Camp 2b:14 note and 2e note.


Property from the Collection of David Horenstein