[America] Lahontan, Baron. Voyages du Baron de Lahontan dans l'Amerique & Memoires. Francois L'Honore, Amsterdam, 1728. Two volumes. Thick 12mo. [xviii], 408 pp.; i, 238 pp. Early paper backed marbled boards. Engraved frontispiece and title same as a 1703 printing (different pagination), this copy with 17 (of 26 engraved plates and maps) (lacking both "Carte General de Canada" and "Carte de la Riviere Longue"). Title pages printed in red and black, plates good, one detatched. Second edition (so stated but dated 1728 not 1705 - but same frontis and title page as 1705), variant issue, with the imprint of Francois l'Honore, "revue, corrigee, & augmentee." Sabin 38691, 38642. Howes L25, "aa." Clark I:111. Pilling, 2177. Pilling, Algonquian, p.292. Michigan Rarities, 6. Wheat 86, 87. Greenly ,9. European Americana 705/110Lahontan's narrative is a curious blending of fact and fantasy, to be honored in regard to his account of his travels in the Great Lakes region, but to be accompanied by tongue placed amply in cheek in regard to his claims to have journeyed west of the Mississippi, which Howes states have the veracity of "the legends of the sea serpent." Contains "A Short Dictionary of the most Universal Language of the Savages" in the second volume, as well as some specimens of the Huron dialect. The most notable map is the "Carte de la Riviere Longue," (lacking in this copy) depicting an imaginary river extending westward from Lake Superior. The "Carte General de Canada" is also considerably confused geographically. It remains a classic voyage, partially imaginary, by a man "of more than ordinary learning and intelligence" (Sabin). First published in 1703 and issued separately. "The Voyages are almost wholly devoted to a description of the manners, customs, domestic habits, and method of warfare of the Indians of Canada," Field, Indian Bibliography, p. 210). "one of the best early works on the subject,"(Streeter Sale 1:107). "Lahontan's narrative, of considerable value when confined to his actual sojourneyings in the Lake region, was unfortunately disfigured by his inserting an account of a pretended trip west of the Mississippi, about as convincing as the legends of the sea-serpent," (Howes p. 327). Minor wear, scattered foxing.

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