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Frédéric Leclerc. Le Texas et Sa Révolution. ...
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Description
Presentation Copy in Original Wrappers of a Very Scarce Texan Account by a Frenchman
Frédéric Leclerc. Le Texas et Sa
Révolution. Paris: Imprimerie de H. Fournier et Ce,
1840.FIRST EDITION. PRESENTATION COPY, INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR on the front wrapper: "À Monsieur Bougar(d?), homage de l'auteur, F. Leclerc." 8vo. 104 pages. With folding map at end by Charles Picquet, hand-colored in outline (sheet: 12.125" x 14.75"). Original tan printed wrappers, uncut, front and rear covers lined with binder's waste at the time of binding. Housed in modern quarter calf clamshell case.
Frédéric Leclerc (1810-1891), a young French physician and scientist "had spent some time in Cincinnati in June and July, 1837, and later some months in Texas, where he arrived early in 1838. His first-hand observations on the towns of Galveston, Houston, San Felipe, and Bejar or San Antonio are most interesting" (Streeter). His historical material is taken largely from Newell's History of the Revolution in Texas and other contemporary sources, "but his observations on the physical and political scene are quite useful" (Jenkins). His account is accompanied by a map, Carte du Texas, made by the geographer Charles Picquet and incorporating considerable material furnished by Leclerc himself, showing the new capital of Austin, the village that became Waco, and a number of wagon roads not previously mapped.
"The map entitled 'Carte du Texas,' is quite good and contains considerable material compiled by Leclerc himself. It was also used the next year by Leclerc's publisher, Henri J. J. Fournel, in his own book, Coup d'Oeil Historique et Statistique sur le Texas [1841]." It originally appeared in two installments in the Parisian periodical La Revue des Deux-Mondes (March 1 and April 15, 1840), and was published in book form the same year, accompanied by the map.
Extremely rare: This being only one of three copies that have appeared at auction in at least the last forty years, and the only presentation copy to appear at auction or recorded in any institutional copies. The present copy was used by a translator, James L. Shepherd, for his 1951 English translation (see provenance note).
Condition: Covers are lightly worn with some soiling and foxing. Spine partially defective at ends with some loss, but cords still holding. Occasional pale marginal dampstaining, minor marginal spots or flecks. Overall a very good unsophisticated copy in original condition.
References: Howes L171; Jenkins, Basic Texas Books 122; Raines, p. 137; Sabin 39652; Streeter 1362 (locating only 2 copies).
Provenance: Dr. Charles B. Sanders, Texas collector, and member of the faculty of the University of Texas Medical School at Galveston (accompanied by a newspaper clipping regarding his copy being used for an English translation by James L. Shepherd in 1951); sold Heritage Auctions, 14 June 2008, lot 76277.
Auction Info
2023 December 2 The Ted Lusher Texas History Collection, Part One Signature® Auction #6281 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
December, 2023
2nd
Saturday
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