VOYAGE DE LE VAILLANT (2 VOLUMES)

Ex libris hardcover Octavo, Bound in half brown full leather with papered sides, with French text. Vol.1 has 383 pages and Vol.2 has 404 pages. Published in year VI. (Year 6) of the French Revolution, this corresponds to 1797/8.

Decorative designs with gilt titles to the spine. Head and heal on both volumes are bumped and has rubbing along all the edges; corners are a bit bent and has marks and wear to the spine and front/back boards. Lacks leather corner on top right-hand corner of Vol.2.

François Le Vaillant published Voyage dans l'intérieur de l'Afrique (1790, 2 vols.), and Second voyage dans l'intérieur de l'Afrique (1796, 3 vols.), both of which were translated into several languages. He also published Histoire naturelle des oiseaux d'Afrique (1796–1808, 6 vols.) with drawings by Jacques Barraband, Histoire naturelle des oiseaux de paradis (1801–06), Histoire naturelle des cotingas et des todiers (1804) and Histoire naturelle des calaos (1804).

Levaillant’s illustrations often influenced scientific names given by, among others, Vieillot, Stephens and Wilkes. Interesting detailed black & white engraved plates, foldout plates and portraits of Levaillant's first account of his expedition through South Africa.

Both volumes: Some of the plates are loose with minute tears. There is an Ex libris on both the front pastedowns and also has the previous owner’s inscription on the top/left corner of the pastedowns. The books have some offsetting on the front/rear pastedowns and front/rear endpapers. Slight foxing can be seen throughout, overall, these rare volumes are all in good condition.