A rare work providing the earliest European perspective of Oregon and the west coast of America, and the most detailed book on California before American occupation. This example is inscribed on the front free endpaper of each text volume “a Son Excellence, Monsieur Le Comte Maurice de Dietrichstein, hommage respectueux del’auteur D. de Mofras”

Maurice Dietrichstein (1775-1864) was released from a French prison by Napoleon in 1800, and eventually became tutor to his son Napoleon II, 1815-1832, when the young man died. He was also musical director of the Imperial Court from 1819, and from 1821, director of court theatres. In 1826, he was appointed director of the Court Library, a post which he held until 1845, during which time he famously acquired the original score of Mozart’s ‘Requiem’. From 1833 – 1848, he was also director of the Imperial Cabinet of Medals and Antiquities.

Eugène Duflot de Mofras (1810-1884) a French diplomat, was appointed attaché to Mexico and sent to investigate Alta California and the Pacific coast from 1841-42. His special mission was to explore and evaluate the commercial possibilities of California and the Oregon Territory, which was the subject of dispute between the United States and Great Britain at the time. Duflot de Mofras did not endear himself to the Spanish community in America – he reputedly stole altar wine from the house of one family he stayed with and insulted the General meant to be helping him with his passport (Beebe and Senkewicz). This did not prevent him from creating an ambitious and comprehensive work, accompanied by these meticulously charted maps.

The first section contains a map of the Pacific Ocean with the area of America under dispute outlined in red, and plans of ports in Mexico. The second section contains plans of ports in California. The third section contains plans of ports in Alaska and Canada. The fourth section contains prints of Native American culture, including the mummified head of a three-year-old child, and goods including basketwork and weapons. It also has a plan and view of the St Luis Rey Mission, named after the French thirteenth century Saint-King Louis IX, founded by Franciscan monks and surviving to this day. The fifth part contains the standout piece of cartography: the large folding map of the west coast, which “made these western regions known in European official circles” (Wheat). It covers the area from Mount St Elias to Acapulco and reaches as far inland as Austin.