A rare edition of the French translation of Rickman's account detailing James Cook's third and final voyage of discovery. Notwithstanding the statement on the title-page ("seconde édition"), two earlier editions were published in 1782. The frontispiece is a close copy of that in the first edition; the chart, the same as in the first edition, is lacking in most copies: "the three copies examined all lack a chart" (Forbes). Rickman, Second Lieutenant on board the Discovery, published anonymously, to avoid legal action. He had managed to keep his journal, even though everything was taken into possession and sealed. His account is an important supplement to the official publication.
Some browning and soiling, otherwise in very good condition. Beddie 1613; Forbes 55; Kroepelien 1081 (note: "The mysterious "Seconde édition" of Paris 1783 ... I have not seen"); cf. O'Reilly & Reitman 420 (2nd ed. of 1782).