Relation d'un voyage dans la mer du Nord, aux côtes d'Islande, du Groenland, de Ferro, de Schettland, des Orcades & de Norwége; fait en 1767 & 1768. Paris, Prault, 1771. Lovely quarto: (vii), (2), 220. pages, with 18 eighteen engraved maps and plates, seven folded. Title printed in red and black with an engraved vignette. In later cream vellum. FIRST edition, with ex-libris (« Ce livre appartien à Monsieur de Videau »), a pale mark on the title pages, also on two first leaves, otherwise very lovely copy. A thrilling travel account by the French naval officer Kerguelen Trémarec of a voyage in the North Sea that visited the coasts of Iceland, Geenland and Norway. The purpose of the expedition was to "give protection and encouragement to the cod fishermen on the coast of Iceland, and to preserve order among the French fishermen" (Cox). During the periloous voyage Kerguélen became familiar with sailing in the cold seas, first in 1767 with the corvette La Folle, following French cod fishermen, then the following year with the corvette L'Hirondelle. In 1768, he brought back two polar bear cubs for King Louis XV's menagerie. Yves Joseph de Kerguelen de Trémarec, (1734-1797) discovered the îles de la Désolation, to which Cook later gave the name of the archipeligo of Kerguelen. This is a remarkable chronicle of an eighteenth-century voyage that offers readers a window into the pristine, enigmatic world of the North Atlantic, the remote islands of Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, the Shetlands, the Orkneys, and Norway. With a meticulous eye for detail, Kerguelen brings to life the harsh beauty and scientific interest of these northern territories. His account stands as a testament to the age of exploration, capturing both the geographical and cultural intricacies of regions that, at the time, were largely unknown to much of Europe. The book holds a special place in the literature of exploration, blending adventure, scientific inquiry, and a nuanced understanding of the world’s northernmost frontiers. Beyond the scientific observations, Kerguelen’s narrative offers a vivid glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of 18th-century maritime exploration. The author’s rich, descriptive prose immerses readers in the rugged landscapes and sometimes perilous conditions encountered during the voyage. From Iceland's volcanic craters to Greenland's icy shores, Kerguelen paints a portrait of a world that was both familiar and fantastical to his contemporaries. His reflections on the natural world, as well as his interactions with the diverse peoples of these regions, underscore the complexity and grandeur of the northern seas. Relation d'un Voyage dans la Mer du Nord is not merely a travelogue; it is an invaluable historical document that preserves the spirit of discovery and curiosity that characterised an era of unparalleled exploration. REFERENCES Cox ii, 21. Sabin 37616. Schiötz 527a; Howes: K39; Lande: 1318; Hill: 939 #traveltreasures