BERTHOUT-VAN-BERCHEM (Jacob Pierre). Itinerary of the Chamonix Valley, part of the Bas-Vallais and the neighbouring mountains. J. Mourer, Lausanne, 1790. In-12, antique hardback, title label on spine. Corners dulled, rubbed (period binding). First edition, illustrated with 2 off-text folding plates engraved by Wexelberg (a map by Exchaquet curiously oriented with North at the bottom, and a curious circular view taken from the summit of Le Buet from Saussure's Voyages dans les Alpes). This route guide, one of the first of its kind, was a great success with the public at the time and has become rare and sought-after. Handwritten stamp and bookplate on title page. A good copy. Jacob-Pierre Berthout van Berchem (Holland 1763 - France 1832) came from an old Brabant family that had settled in Switzerland in the 16th century, first in Basel and then in Lausanne in the mid-18th century. An excellent naturalist, he published various works on flora and fauna. He was secretary of the Société des sciences physiques de Lausanne and responsible for the publication of its memoirs (1783-1790). He and his father were expelled from the Pays de Vaud during the revolutionary period in 1791 and settled in France. A valuable mineralogist, he wrote original articles on mining science with Henri Struve and published Principes de minéralogie with him (1795). Perret, 433 - Meckly 020 - Lonchamp 251 - Wäber 177 - Perrin p. 10