PRÉVOST (Antoine François). - Lot 51

PRÉVOST (Antoine François). Histoire générale des voyages, ou collection de toutes les relations de voyages par mer et par terre, Qui ont été publiées jusqu'à présent dans les différentes Langues de toutes les Nations connues... Paris : Didot, 1746-1749 [tomes 1 à 7] - Paris : Didot ; Lausanne, Marc-Michel Bousquet, 1750-1759 [tome 8] - Paris : Didot, 1751 [tomes 9 à 15]. Table alphabétique des matières contenues dans les XV volumes de l'histoire générale des voyages. Paris: veuve Didot, 1761 [volume 16]. Suite de l'histoire générale des voyages... Amsterdam : Arkstée et Merkus, 1761 [volume 17]. - 17 volumes in-4 (of 20), 253 x 194. Marbled calf, ornate ribbed spine, red edges (period bindings). First edition of the first major compilation of travel reports, undertaken by Abbé Prévost. Initially, it was the French translation of the ambitious publication John Green had begun in England in 1745 under the title A new general collection of voyages and travels. For Green, the aim of this work was "1° to prevent the loss of a large number of precious books; 2° to make rare books common; 3° to form a body of the best authors who have written on the different parts of the world" (p. i). Abbé Prévost was not content with a simple translation, however, and allowed himself a few deletions; he also had new plates and maps engraved. The success of the English edition failed to materialize, and Prévost had to continue the adventure on his own, starting with volume 8. This is a copy of the first 17 volumes, with only the last 3, including the Continuation de l'histoire générale des voyages, published between 1768 and 1789, missing. The first 15 were published by Abbé Prévost, the 16th contains the general table and the last volume constitutes the first sequel. A parallel in-12 edition in 80 volumes was published. The illustrations comprise a total of 529 plates out of 531, including a portrait of the author engraved by Schmidt, over 200 maps and plans, and more than 300 figures engraved after drawings by Cochin fils, Chedel, Tardieu fils, etc. As always, plates XII and XV from the fourth volume are included in the fifth. Missing, as is often the case, is the mappemonde announced in volume 6, but which should appear at the head of volume 1, as indicated in the notice to the bookbinder, and plate XXXV (Airs chinois) in volume 6. A very fine copy in contemporary bindings. The spines show slight differences in decoration. Skilful and discreet restorations to the bindings. Some headpieces missing, some rare worm work. A few scattered freckles and occasional damp spots.