Amsterdam, Jean Louis de Lorme, 1711.
3 volumes in 3 volumes in-4 of: I/ 1 portrait-frontispiece, (4) ff., 279 pp., 1 folding map, 17 plates out of text including 9 folding; II/ 454 pp., 15 plates out of text including 4 folding; III/ 254 pp., (13) ff., 46 plates out of text including 31 folding. Full period binding in black morocco, spine with raised bands adorned with gilt fleurons, Du Seuil-style frame on covers, gilt roulette on the edges, gilt edges. Some discreet restorations. Period binding.
252 x 189 mm.
First complete edition, partly original, rare in this format, of one of the best ancient descriptions of Persia. It remains to this day an invaluable source for the knowledge of Persian culture and civilization at the end of the 17the century.A portrait, a map, 78 plates (views, costumes, ancient writings, antiquities, etc.) and 6 folding charts.“Chardin’s Journey to Persia is one of the most interesting voyages published in the 18the century”. Brunet, I, 1802.Son of a Protestant jeweler from Place Dauphine in Paris, Jean Chardin (1643-1713) quickly showed a strong taste for travel, where curiosity about elsewhere was combined with the hope of fruitful trade. He made two long stays in the Middle East. The first, from 1664 to 1670, saw him stay in Isfahan for a long time, and be named “merchant of the shah”. Upon his return, he published an account of the Coronation of Soliman iii (1671). His second stay in the Middle East took place from 1671 to 1677. In 1686, he published in London the journal of his second voyage to Isfahan (which Bayle lavishly praised), then, in 1711, a much more complete edition which includes, in addition to the same journal (forming volume i), a very detailed presentation of Persia (volume ii), a particular description of Isfahan and the account of a journey to Hormuz (volume iii).
“His official position, his relationships with key figures, the knowledge he eagerly acquired of the country’s idioms, allowed him to gather a wealth of information on the government, customs, antiquities, monuments, and history of Persia. A skilled draftsman, whom he had brought with him, accompanied him on all his explorations, and thus he could bring back accurate reproductions of monuments, costumes, the ruins of Persepolis, weapons, utensils…
It has been claimed that the academic Charpentier assisted Chardin in drafting his book. Be that as it may, what indisputably belongs to the illustrious traveler are these precious materials gathered with such intelligence and courage, these deep researches, these observations, these curious and authentic insights into the history, administration, legislation, customs, sciences, arts, and practices of a country almost unknown until then.” Chardin was accompanied by a draftsman,said Langlès».
, who, since Chardin, have visited and described the same regions, has only served to confirm the accuracy, depth of his observations, the variety of his knowledge and his truthfulness The superb illustration, engraved on copper, includes a frontispiece portrait in the first edition by The superb illustration, engraved on copper, includes a frontispiece portrait in the first edition by
dated 1710 and 78 large plates, engravings or maps, most of which are folding or double-page as well as 6 headpieces engraved at the beginnings of chapters. Grelot: all the views, scenes, and portraits were made from life.
Precious copy of this rare quarto edition, preserved in its elegant black morocco binding of the time, a most rare condition for this voyage.
