Mémoires ... sur les possessions & les droits respectifs des deux Couronnes en Amérique - photo 1
Mémoires ... sur les possessions & les droits respectifs des deux Couronnes en Amérique - photo 2
Mémoires ... sur les possessions & les droits respectifs des deux Couronnes en Amérique - photo 3

Mémoires ... sur les possessions & les droits respectifs des deux Couronnes en Amérique

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$ 5 040
Auction dateClassic
17.01.2024 11:00UTC -04:00
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CHRISTIE'S
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USA, New York
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ID 1119161
Lot 44 | Mémoires ... sur les possessions & les droits respectifs des deux Couronnes en Amérique
Mémoires ... sur les possessions & les droits respectifs des deux Couronnes en Amérique

Paris, 1755-1757

Mémoires des Commissaires du Roi et de ceux de sa Majesté Britannique, sur les possessions & les droits respectifs des deux Couronnes en Amérique; avec les actes publics & pieces justificatives. Paris: L’Imprimerie Royale, 1755-1757.



Very rare first edition of this important collection of official papers setting forth the French view of the opposing claims of France and England to North American territories. Association copy with political provenance, being sent by the French commissioner for the Acadia boundary dispute: the financier Étienne de Silhouette. The recipient was Philip Yorke, First Earl of Hardwicke, then serving in George II’s cabinet; Yorke records its history on the front flyleaf of volume one.



The present collection is an important source of the origins of the Seven Years' War. Subsequent to the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748, the commissioners were appointed to reach an agreement regarding the exact geographical boundaries of Acadia, ceded by France to Great Britain by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713. The commissioners appointed were William Shirley (Governor of Massachusetts), Sir William Mildmay (representing Great Britain), and the Marquis de la Galissonière and Étienne de Silhouette (for France). The documents provide an historical record of Acadia, discussing the first permanent settlement in Canada, early trading companies and occupation of the country. The 150 year old dispute was not resolved until the end of the Seven Years' War, at which time Britain obtained not only all of Acadia but the remainder of Canada as well; France retained only St. Lucia. The map in volume one is titled "Carte d'une partie de l'Amérique septentrionale," and extends from the top of North Carolina to southern Labrador.



This work was published in English as well and the first two volumes have parallel content. The third volume, by contrast, contains documents from after the onset of War such as a translation of George Washington’s 1754 journal and printings of letters to General Braddock which had fallen into French hands.



The fourth volume was published two years after the first three and is “much rarer” according to Reese and also not mirrored in the English-language version. It contains a history of the earliest New World voyages with the aim of furthering ancient claims. It is present here, though of a different provenance and lacking preliminary leaves. Howes M-508 “c”; Lande 147; Reese, Struggle for North America 24 (English ed.); Sabin 47547.



Quarto (268 x 209mm). Two folding engraved maps. (Scattered pale browning, mostly near gutter; vol 4 title and 3 following preliminary leaves lacking and supplied in facsimile.) Vols. 1-3 in original plain wrappers, deckle edges preserved and partially unopened, remnants of paper printed spine labels (toned, backstrips well worn). Custom chemises and slipcases. Provenance: Philip Yorke, First Earl of Hardwicke, 1690-1764 (manuscript provenance note in vol. 1 recording receipt of vols. 1-3 from Étienne de Silhouette in 1755 in de Silhouette’s official capacity as Chancellor to the Duke of Orleans; bookplates in vols. 1 & 2; shelf nos. in vols. 1-3) – Ernest E. Keet (bookplates to chemises).

Place of origin:Western Europe, France, Europe
Category:Printed book
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