KEATE, George.
Relation des Îles Pelew, situées dans la partie occidentale de l'océan pacifique; composée sur les journaux et les communications du Capitaine Henri Wilson, et de quelques-uns de ses Officiers, ...
Paris, Le Jay and Maradan, 1788. 2 volumes. 8vo. With engraved frontispiece portrait, engraved folding map of the Palau Islands, Philippines and the Chinese Sea, 12 folding engraved plates and 3 engraved portraits. Contemporary half calf, gold-tooled spines. [4], 282; [4], 274, [6] pp.
€ 750
First French translation of one of the most popular 18th-century books on the Pacific, and the main source of early knowledge of the Pelew or Palau Islands in Micronesia. In 1773, the Antelope under command of Captain Henry Wilson was shipwrecked near one of the Palau Islands, a previously unexplored group. The crew managed to reach shore, where they were well treated by the natives. They built a small boat from the wreck, in which they reached Macao. They took Lee Boo, the son of Abba Thulle, King of the Palau Islands, with them to England where he made a very good impression. Unfortunately, he soon died of smallpox. George Keate (1729-1797), a friend of Captain Wilson and of Voltaire, composed the relation from the journals and oral communications of the Captain and some of his officers. Keate also published books on poetry and history.
With manuscript owner's inscription on title-page. Binding worn along the extremities. Some faint browning along the extremities and a couple occasional spots. A good copy. Brunet III, col. 647; Cox II, p. 303; Hill 160.
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