SAUSSURE, Horace-Benedict de (1740-1799) - Voyages dans les Alpes précédes d'un essai sur l'histoire naturelle des environs de Geneve. Neuchatel: Samuel Fauche e Louis Fauche-Borel, 1779-96.   A good copy of this first edition. It contains the description of the seven alpine trips and the scientific observations of Saussure, considered the founder of mountaineering. The studies on the mountain climate and meteorological observations are also of considerable importance.   4 volumes, 4to (244 x 196mm). Half-titles, engraved illustrations on titles with mountain views, 2 geographical folding maps "Carte du Lac de Genève et des montagnes contiguous" and "Carte de la partie des Alpes qui avoisine le Mont Blanc" (with small marginal tear), 22 views on 21 plates of which 19 folding (plates VI and VII of vol. I on the same sheet), engraved vignettes in text, vol II with a letterpress plate containing the "observations faites au pied du Mont-Blanc" on p. 576 and another with the "observations faites sur le Mole" on p. 589 (without final blank in vol. II, final pages of vol. IV detached, sporadic browning and foxing). Later percalline, gilt title on spine, marbled edges and endpapers. (4)

Estimate € 1,000 - 1,500

Sold € 2,600