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Marc Theodore BourritA RELATION OF A JOURNEY TO THE GLACIERS, IN THE DUTCHY OF SAVOY ....
Norwich: Printed by Richard Beatniffe, 1775. [48],xxi,[1],264,[2]pp. plus three plates. Engraved dedication leaf. Octavo. Contemporary calf, newly rebacked in ruled calf with gilt label. Binding a bit darkened at edges, old tidemark in lower gutter quarter of dedication leaf and plates, early ink name on title of A. Wickham and bookplate of William Wickham, later small book label of the Lewis Walpole Library (bearing release stamp), a few pencil corrections in the text, otherwise a very good copy. Item #WRCLIT60768
First edition in English of Bourrit's DÉSCRIPTION DES GLACIÈRES (1773), translated by C. and F. Davy. Although the table lists over twenty plates that were intended to accompany the narrative, only three were actually issued with this edition. The substantial list of subscribers includes such luminaries as Samuel Johnson, Beckford, Burke, Garrick, Reynolds, and Horace and other Walpoles (it is dedicated by the translators to Mrs. R. Walpole). Bourrit was precentor of the church of St Peter at Geneva, and enjoyed a passionate amateur's enthusiasm for the Alps and mountaineering. In 1784, he made the first (unsuccessful) attempt at an ascent of Mount Blanc. London and Dublin editions, and a second Norwich edition, appeared in 1776, but the first is uncommon. ESTC T131801.
Price: $2,250.00