Lot 167: DUFLOT DE MOFRAS, Eugène (1810-1884). Exploration du Territoire de l'Orégon, des Californies, et de la Mer Vermeille, exécutée pendant les années 1840, 1841, et 1842. Paris: Arthus Bertrand, 1844.

DUFLOT DE MOFRAS, Eugène (1810-1884). Exploration du Territoire de l'Orégon, des Californies, et de la Mer Vermeille, exécutée pendant les années 1840, 1841, et 1842. Paris: Arthus Bertrand, 1844. 2 text volumes, 8 o (228 x 147 mm) and atlas 2 o (527 x 359 mm). Text: 8 engravings. Atlas: large folding map hand-colored in outline, 25 engravings on 17 sheets (one double-page), comprising 21 charts and 4 plates. (Text: occasional light browning and foxing; atlas: folding map with short marginal tear repaired, some light staining.) Modern black half morocco, spines with two morocco labels, lettered in gilt. "THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WORKS ON THE NORTHWESTERN COAST, INCLUDING ALASKA" (Lada-Mocarski) FIRST EDITION, "A VERY RARE WORK" (Hill), and the best book on California for this period. Duflot de Mofras had been sent to Mexico in 1839 ostensibly to act as French Ambassador. His real motive was to provide the French government with information about the Pacific Coast of North America to help decide whether or not to become embroiled in the conflict over Oregon between the United States and Britain. His description includes the western coast of America from Tehuantepec to the Bering Strait, and considers the Spanish voyages of discovery, Vancouver Island, and the Fraser River. Cowan I p.186; Graff 1169; Hill 496; Howes D-542; Lada-Mocarski 120; Phillips Atlases 1457; Sabin 21144; Streeter sale VI:3323; Zamarano 80 , 30. (3)