OUTHIER, Reginaud – Journal d’un voyage au Nord, en 1736. & 1737. Paris, Piget & Durand, 1744. In-4.  (viii), 238, (2). With 16 engraved plates and maps and some woodcut vignettes. Contemporary full calf, spine with five raised bands, richly gilt and with title label.

First edition of this wellknown account of the French scientific expedition headed by Pierre Louis Moreau de Maupertius to Lapland in 1736-37. Reginaud Outhier (1694-1774) participated as the astronomer on the expedition. His account comprises a personal journal with descriptive details of the area and its inhabitants. The maps and plates are done after drawings by the author. Among the plates are a folded view of Falun and plans of Tornio (Finland), Stockholm and Falun. The list of plates calls for 18 plates but 2 were never issued. „Account of an expedition to Lapland to measure the length of a degree of latitude near the North Pole, sponsored by the Royal Academy od Sciences.“ (Honeyman). „Ouvrage ecrit avec une simplicite charmante; les details qu’il renferme sur les moeurs et les usages religieux des Lapons en rendent la lecture pleine d’attraits… Connu de peu de personnes, [il] est bien plus curieux et bien plus instructif que celui de Maupertuis…“ (Querard, France litt., VI, 517).

Bruun II, 588 – Chavanne 148 – DSB X, 256 – Wellcome IV, 276 – Honeyman 2376.

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