Voyage de Mr Le Chevalier de Chastellux en Amerique
Author: Beauvoir, François Jean de [Marquis de Chastellux] (1734-1788)
Year: 1785
Publisher: Cassell
Place: Paris
Description:
228 pages. Royal Octavo (8 1/2" x 6") bound in original stiff wrappers. (Howes C324, "aa." Sabin 12226. Monaghan 4048) Reprint of the unauthorized edition.
One of the great French travel accounts including visits to the American army in the last stage of the Revolution, debating political science with Sam Adams, First hand description and evaluation of Washington, extensive visit with Jefferson at Monticello, and highly intelligent descriptions and analysis of American character at a crucial moment in the nations' formative period. (Howes 334c) Chastellux entered the army when fifteen years of age, and distinguished himself in Germany as colonel of a regiment in the seven years' war. He afterward served in America as major general under Rochambeau, and gained the friendship of Washington by his amiable character. This, the second issue of this work, preceded by the extremely rare Newport edition of 1781. The publication of this edition was not approved by the author, who was preparing a more elaborate production which was issued the following year, incorporating many additions and changes. The first official edition was two volumes published in 1786.
Condition:
Provenance William Clements Library with their label to front wrapper verso. Some loss to spine. Housed in quarter brown leather slipcase. Wrappers in good condition, internally internally clean and fresh. Slipcase with some rubbing to spine ends else very good.