166 [CORMATIN (Pierre Dezoteux baron de)]. Voyage du ci-deva - Lot 166

166 [CORMATIN (Pierre Dezoteux baron de)]. Voyage du ci-devant duc du Châtelet, en Portugal, où se trouvent des détails intéressans sur ses colonies, sur le tremblement de terre de Lisbonne, sur M. Pombal et la cour...; revu, corrigé sur le manuscrit, et augmenté de notes sur la situation actuelle de ce royaume et de ses colonies, par J. Fr. Bourgoing. Paris, F. Buisson, an VI (1798). 2 vols. in-8, viii, 268 p. ; 260 p., pl., fawn half-calf with smooth spine richly decorated with scale motifs (period binding). First edition illustrated with a fine folded view of the bay of Lisbon and a large folded map of Portugal. As we learn from Foulché-Delbosc's long and interesting note, the real author of this voyage was Pierre-Marie-Félicité Dezoteux (1753-1812), who had held the title of Baron de Cormatin since his marriage. He had made the trip to Portugal in 1777, wrote the report and sent it to his protector, the Duc du Châtelet. On the latter's death in 1793, the manuscript was found in his library and purchased by the bookseller Buisson, who was in charge of selling the late duke's papers. Bourgoing reworked the story - or, in all likelihood, adapted it to current tastes - and published it with Buisson, attributing it to the Duc du Châtelet, who had never been to Portugal. The real author protested, thus making himself known. Provenance: from the library of Jean Debry (1760-1834), attested by his bookplate engraved with the imperial eagle on the back cover. Jean Debry was a deputy at the Convention, where he voted for the death of Louis XVI, and a member of the Comité de salut public (Public Safety Committee), before coming into contact with Bonaparte and being re-elected to the Cinq-Cents. He cooperated in the Floréal coup d'état and was appointed Prefect of Doubs. During the Hundred Days, he accepted the prefecture of Bas-Rhin from the Emperor, but was dismissed during the Second Restoration and exiled to Mons, where he lived out his remaining years. Binding very slightly rubbed, with a tiny bite to one jaw, other defects minor, a good copy. (Foulché-Delbosc, 175).