Extremely rare first edition of the journal of the last voyage made by De La Salle to America and the Gulf of Mexico to explore the Mississippi River and Louisiana. The expedition turned out tragically, for De La Salle was murdered by his own men during the journey on 19 March 1687. This account is written by Henri Joutel, one of his companions and probably the only person on board whom he could rely on. Charlevoix, who knew Joutel personally, once described him as a very upright man.
This work is rare as it is, but our copy is of a much greater rarity because it contains the large folding map, which is almost never found with the book. The beautifully designed and engraved map depicts a small view of Nicaragua, part of the Atlantic and the coastal areas of America and Middle America, which are relevant for the expedition. Besides the mouth of the Mississippi it records many other small rivers, described for the first time by De la Salle.
With an owner's inscription struck through on the title-page. Binding slightly worn, especially around the spine, some occasional spots, but otherwise in very good condition. A rare work journal of an important American journey, with the large folding map that is rarely included. Chadenat 2656; JCB I, 177; Leclerc 925; Sabin 36760; Wagner, The Spanish south-west 79.