POIVRE (Pierre). Voyages of a philosopher. Paris, Chez la ci - Lot 147

POIVRE (Pierre). Voyages of a philosopher. Paris, Chez la citoyenne Dupuis, De l'Imprimerie de Hautbout, l'An V [1797]. In-8, shagreened basane, gilt roulette, smooth spine decorated, red title page (contemporary binding). Sabin, n°63719. Partly first edition, decorated with an unsigned copper-engraved frontispiece of farmers. The work contains the author's observations on the mores and arts of the peoples of Africa, Asia and America, and provides an account of agriculture in Asia and Africa. It includes a letter to Father Coeur doux on Indian canvas painting, observations made in Cochinchina, and an extract from a voyage made in 1769-1770 to the Philippines and Moluccas under the command of Évrard de Trémigon to research spice trees. In June 1768, in [Pierre Poivre's absence] and without his knowledge, Voyages d'un Philosophe was published. [...] The work was full of what might be called the physiocratic spirit; several of the School's essential principles were even demonstrated (cf. Weulersse, t. I, p. 158). The volume opens with an Avertissement des éditeurs and a Notice sur la vie de Poivre by Dupont de Nemours (pp. V-LXXXVIII). Frontispiece partly detached. Some light foxing. Epidermal damage to binding. ex 9785/338