BOSSU, Jean-Bernard (1720-1792). Nouveaux voyages aux indes Occidentales; Contenant une relation des differens peuples qui habitent les environs du grand fleuve Saint-Louis, appellé vulgairement le Mississippi. Paris: Le Jay, 1768.

Second edition of "an important chapter in early Louisiana social history," banned in France (Clark). This collection of 21 letters records the author's travels in the Louisiana country from 1751 to 1762. "Bossu wrote well and his letters ... give an interesting picture of life and travels in the Mississippi Valley and the Mobile country to the east at the beginning of the second half of the eighteenth century" (Streeter). The true first edition is vanishingly rare; according to Howes, "Bossu was imprisoned and his book banned for awhile in France; this probably accounts for the scarcity of the first edition, of which Sabin found no record." Gagnon II:219; Howes B-626; Sabin 6465; Streeter sale 1518; Clark Old South II:5.

Two volumes in one, quarto (163 x 90mm). Half-titles, 2 engraved frontispieces and 2 plates (occasional spots and ink stains). 19th-century half calf over marbled boards, edges red (a little worn at the corners).