Euphrasén and Dahlman, 1795 and 1786

EUPHRASÉN, Bengt Anders (1756-1796). Beskrifning Oefver Svenska Vestindiska oen St Barthelemi. Stockholm: Anders Zetterberg, 1795. [Bound with:] DAHLMAN, Sven (1756-1820). Beskrifning Om S. Barthelemy, Swensk Ö uti Westindien. Stockholm: Anders Jacobsson Nordstrom, 1786.

First and first separate editions of two early works on St Barts from the library of Claes Fleming. Euphrasén's work describes the flora and fauna of St Barts and nearby islands, including a large folding map and is a valuable primary source of the island during its period of Swedish colonization. The second work, by Sven Dahlman, is a promotional tract for the island by the chaplain on the first Swedish expedition to St Barts. It first appeared as part of Carl Christopher Gjoerwell's Upfostrings-Sälskapets Historiska Bibliotek in the same year and is the first printed description of the island. No copies of the first work are recorded by RBH and only two copies of the second. Beinecke Less Antilles Collection, 470 and 368.

Two works in one, octavo (178 x 104mm). First work: folding plate and map (a few faint spots). Second work: (lacking plate and map, a few spots). Contemporary half calf with gilt monogram on spine of Claes Fleming, edges yellow. Provenance: Claes Fleming (1771-1831, Swedish book collector).