CHAPPE D'AUTEROCHE (Abbé Jean) - Lot 15

CHAPPE D'AUTEROCHE (Abbé Jean) Voyage en Sibérie fait par ordre du Roi en 1761... Paris, Debure père, 1768. Edition 2 volumes in 3 volumes, large in-4, bound in contemporary full marbled calf, ribbed spines decorated with gilded floral panels, This work, commissioned by the King for astronomical observations, contains a wealth of scientific, ethnographic and geographical information on Russia and Siberia in the 18th century. Engraved after J.-B. Leprince, with vignettes by Moreau, Martinet and Caresme, depicting scenes of manners, costumes, Calmyuk deities, flora and fauna, as well as a fold-out table of extreme temperatures recorded during the expedition.Famous for having provoked a strong reaction from Catherine II of Russia, who published a rebuttal entitled Antidote, criticizing point by point Chappe d'Auteroche's comments on the enslavement of Russian populations. This polemic contributed to the work's renown in the history of diplomatic and intellectual relations between France and Russia. References - Brunet I, p. 1798: "Cet ouvrage a été vivement critiqué par ordre de Catherine II; mais il n'est pas aussi mauvais qu'on a voulu le faire croire." - Boucher de La Richarderie V, pp. 447-450 - Quérard II, p. 129 - Rahir, p. 364 Provenance: Estate of Docteur Marius Mozer by descent.