[Duguay-Trouin] DU GUAY-TROUIN, René (1673-1736)

[Pirates] Memoires de monsieur Du Guay-Trouin, lieutenant general des armées navales

Amsterdam: Chez Pierre Mortier, 1756. Full Calf. Later edition of the memoirs of one of the most illustrious French corsairs, including descriptions of his spectacular attacks on Rio de Janeiro. 12mo (166 x 92mm): xxxix,312pp, with engraved frontispiece and five (of six) folding plates (absent plate opposite p. 120, apparently never bound in). Full mottled calf, flat richly gilt spine divided into six compartments by triple rules, red morocco gilt label, all edges stained red, marbled end papers, book label of P. Gaingnot-P. au Mans. The highly accomplished engravings, by J. P. Le Bas and A. Coquart, include frontispiece portrait of the author, view of a French man-of-war with parts labeled, three (of four) folding views of naval engagements, and the magnificent folding plan of Rio de Janeiro. Also included are lists of ships and crews under Du Guay-Trouin's command in various campaigns. Lower joint skillfully repaired, else Fine, with pages and plates pristine. STCN 305337807. Keynes (Bibliotheca Bibliographici), p. 117. Borba de Moraes 272. Gibson's Library, p. 115. Sabin 29198 (quoting Borba 272: "Pierre Mortier, the well-known Amsterdam book dealer, published several editions of the Memoires, beginning 1740, continuing 1746, 1748, 1756, 1769, and 1773, all of which contain the author's portrait, five plates, and the map."). Fine. Item #BB0491

First published in Amsterdam, in 1730, in a pirated edition extracted from an unfinished manuscript. The first official (and complete) edition was published posthumously in Paris, in 1740. Admiral Du Guay-Trouin, noted for his exploits during the War of the Spanish Succession, from 1699 to 1712, sailed American and Caribbean waters as a privateer. In 1711, he led a French expedition against Rio de Janeiro, then considered impregnable, and after an eleven day siege he occupied the city for some two months, holding the governor for ransom and ransacking the churches and plundering their treasures. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $499.00