4 large folio volumes of: I/ (2) ff., viii, Lii, iii pp., (1) p., 592 pp., 7 full-page plans, 18 folding maps; II/ (2) ff., iv pp., 725 pp., (1) p., 8 folding plates, 1 plan and 1 full-page plate; III/ (2) ff., iv pp., 564 pp., (4) pp., 2 full-page plans, 1 page of music, 2 folding plates; IV/ (2) ff., ii p, 520 pp., 25 folding maps, minimal worm gallery in the lower blank margin of 20 ff. without affecting the text, small tear on 1 map without loss. Full porphyry calf, triple blind-stamped fillet framing on the boards, spine with raised bands adorned with gilt fleurons, red and green morocco title and volume labels, red edges, one joint partially split. Binding of the time.
417 x 275 mm.
Original edition of this geographical treatise, “the first to introduce China in a somewhat accurate way.”
Brunet, II, 870; Chadenat 5053; Cordier,Bibliotheca Sinica, 46-48 (which mentions only 64 plates); Cox I, 335; Lust,Western Books on China12.
“One of the most important works on ancient China and surrounding regions” (Chadenat).
It was written by Father Jean-Baptiste Du Halde, a French geographer who joined the Society of Jesus in 1708, and is based on very precise elements derived from letters written by Jesuit missionaries sent to China and surrounding regions.
It is adorned with vignettes and 22 large plates on full or double pages, some foldable, depicting various scenes: Chinese wedding, royal procession, costumes, funerals, different types of fishing, duck hunting, Chinese boats, silk weaving, plants and fruits, …
It also contains 43 beautiful folded maps and plans that accurately reflect the geographic knowledge of the time about the described regions.
The large general maps, including the map ofChina (690 x 470 mm), the map ofChinese Tartary and the map of theTibet are credited toJean-Baptiste Bourguignon d’Anville.
The ” Map of the countries crossed by Cap. Beering from the city of Tobolsk to Kamchatka” bound between pp. 452 and 453 was produced from Beering’s manuscript map, which was given to the King of Poland and subsequently to Du Halde for reproduction here. It is the first printed map of part of present-day Alaska.
Some of the maps feature borders enhanced with different colors from that time.
The volume is complete with its 65 illustrations.
Precious copy preserved in its elegant period bindings in porphyry calf leather.
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