Essai sur la construction navale des peuples extra-européens

With sketches from the french grands voyages. Paris' comprehensive survey of sailing vessels and a valuable contribution to preserving the artifacts of the maritime cultures of the world. François-Edmond Pâris (1806–1893) was a French admiral, notable for his contribution to naval engineering during the rise of the steam, and for his role in organising the Musée national de la Marine.

The present illustrations are the result of sketches made on three expeditions: the famous circumnavigation of the Astrolabe under Jules d'Urville Durmont (1790-1842) from 1826 to 1829; the scientific expedition around the world, aboard the Favorite under Captain Laplace (1793-1875) from 1829 to 1832; and again, under Laplace on board the Artémise for a third exploration cruise, from 1837 until 1840 when he was appointed commander.

The attractive plates include tinted lithographed plates of ships at sea, against local backgrounds, many in full sail. As one would expect from such important Pacific voyages, there are many plates on the Far East, South-East Asia, and the Pacific islands, including the Philippines (7 plates), China (17), and Malaysia and Java (40).

The work also contains a valuable section on Arabian shipping includes Dungiyahs, Gareokuh, Bedens, Baggalas etc. against the background of the Muscat coastline.

2 vols, large folio (57 x 38 cm); 133 (1-132 & 25bis) engraved or tinted lithographed plates, light toning to text, creases to blank margins pp. 49-54, short marginal repair p. 5, light toning to approx. 54 plates, occasional light foxing elsewhere, contemporary green morocco gilt, rebacked preserving spine, a good copy.