KOSTER (Henri) Voyages dans la partie septentrionale du Brés - Lot 188

KOSTER (Henri) Voyages dans la partie septentrionale du Brésil, depuis 1809 jusqu'en 1815, Comprenant les provinces de Perbambuco (Fernambouc), Seara, Paraiba, Maragnan, etc. Paris: Delaunay, 1818. - 2 volumes in-8, basane jaspée, gilt roulette framing the boards, ornate smooth spine, marbled edges (period binding). Garraux, "Bibliographie brésilienne" p. 145. First edition of Antoine Jay's French translation of the account of the travels to Brazil by English explorer and coffee grower Henry Coster (1793-1821), who died in his twenty-seventh year. Born in Portugal, Coster travelled to Brazil in November 1809 for health reasons. After spending several months in Pernambuco, he explored the interior of the country, visiting the Goïana, Paraïba and Seara regions in 1810. His account is invaluable, providing a wealth of previously unpublished information on provinces little visited by Europeans at the time. He also offers illuminating observations on the customs of the inhabitants, including nomads, Indians, free blacks and slaves, as well as details on natural resources and cultivation methods. The edition is illustrated with two folding maps and 8 color plates, two of which are frontispieces. Fine copy in contemporary binding. Spines foxed. Slight crack to the hinge of the first cover of the second volume, small tears to the spine of the same volume.