Voyages aux iles du Grand Ocean.

£8,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

First edition of this 'scarce and important work on Tahiti by a long-time resident'. Moerenhout includes an historical account of Tahiti since the time of Captain Cook, examines native culture, and includes an essay on the origin of the Polynesians. The work includes occasional references to Hawaii. The author was sometime US consul in the Pacific Islands, and French consul in Tahiti. First edition. 2 vols, 8vo, xv, [1], 574; [4], 520, vii pp. Illustrated with 4 lithographic plates, folding chart, scattered light foxing, contemporary green morocco-backed marbled boards gilt, a very good set. Forbes 1065; Kroepelian 856; O'Reilly-Reitman 876; Sabin 49829.

• Binding: Hardcover

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