Leide (Leyden): d'Elie Luzac, 1750. First French edition. xxviii, 413pp, [vi advts]. Half vellum with paper covered boards. Extremities worn with some loss of paper on the boards, internally evenly browned with minimal foxing, overall very good. Ellis went as the investors' agent and scientific specialist with a two ship expedition commissioned to find the Northwest Passage from Hudson's Bay. The explorers proved the nonexistence of this route, but provided many valuable observations on tides, compass readings, and the customs of the Eskimos, people then unknown. The attractive plates depict Eskimos canoeing and hunting seals, as well as northern fauna including the horned owl, pelican, wolverine, white bear, and whale. Sabin 22313. Item #24208

Price: $750.00