DU GUAY-TROUIN. Mémoires. [Paris], [Cl.-François Simon], 174 - Lot 27

DU GUAY-TROUIN. Mémoires. [Paris], [Cl.-François Simon], 1740, gr. in-4°, red morocco, gilded fillets around the boards, arms in the center, ornate ribbed spine, inner gilded roulette, gilded edges (period binding). Collation: 1 f. title page, portrait, 1 f. title page, 40 pp. ch. [i]-[XL] (Avertissement, Table alphabétique, Lettres), 284 pp. ch. 1 to 284, 6 pl. The best of all editions. First authentic text of the Memoirs of Duguay-Trouin (1673-1736), published by Godard de Beauchamps at the request of Pierre Jazier de La Garde, the famous sailor's nephew. The illustrious Malouin, a virtuoso of racing warfare, records his feats of arms from 1689, when he embarked on the privateer La Trinité, to 1715, when he was promoted to squadron leader. Louis XIV's essential armed wing in his struggle against England, Spain and Holland for control of the seas and trade routes, his greatest feat of arms was the capture of Rio de Janeiro on September 21, 1711, a victory which marked the end of his life as a sailor. In 1728, he was appointed lieutenant-general of the navy, and later took charge of the navy at Saint-Malo, then Brest, and in 1732 Toulon. A portrait of the privateer by Larmessin, a title finial, a vignette engraved by Fessard and 5 plates engraved by J.-B. Le Bas, four of which depict battles, and a plan of Rio de Janeiro by A. Coquart. Prestigious copy on large paper, bearing the coat of arms of Jean-Jacques Amelot de Chaillou (1689-1749), who had been Secretary of Foreign Affairs since 1737. Some discreet scattered foxing. Lower edges rubbed. Size : 282 x 217 mm. Provenances: Duc de Noailles (Cat., 1835, no. 511, "... LARGE PAPER..."); R. Hoe (Cat., 1912, no. 310 ("LARGE PAPER... The first edition.")), with his bookplate; Cortland F. Bishop (Cat., 1938, no. 675 ("First edition."). Borba de Moraes, Bibliographia brasiliana, I, p. 272; Polack, 2855; Cohen, I, 334-335 (cites Mme Sophie's copy); [...], France-Brésil, Hôtel de Rouen, 1955, no. 104 (copy in large paper with the arms of Dauphin Louis de France, Pierre Berès collection); Olivier, pl. 1247, iron no. 4.