First edition of the French translation of one of the earliest and most important works on early California. The original Spanish edition was written by Andrés Marcos Burriel (1719-1762), a Spanish Jesuit, after memoires by Miguél Vénegas (1680-1764), who was a Jesuit as well. This French translation, by Marc Antoine Eidous, was based on the English one, and makes no mention of the Spanish authors at all.
Vénegas had never actually been to California, but relied on relations of several missionaries who had been there. His book, after being edited and compiled by Burriel, became the most extensive account on Lower California of the 18th century. It contains some rare facts and details on the work of the missionaries and on the customs of the Californian inhabitants. The work was also responsible for putting an end to the myth that California was an island, which was proven when in 1746 father Ferdinand Consag led an expedition to the mouth of the Colorado River, sailing completely around the Gulf of California. An account of this voyage can be found in the third volume, which can be regarded a supplement volume to the other two and is also edited by Burriel. This supplement contains next to the relation of Consag, extracts of other works on California and Northwest Coast explorations up to 1754.
A very good copy, with only some minor smudges to the half-title of volume one, and an occasional spot throughout. Binding with minor restorations, corners lightly bumped, but otherwise also very good. Eberstadt 128:156; Howes V69; JCB I, 1601; Sabin 98843; Streeter coll. IV, 2433.