L'ambassade de la Compagnie Orientale des Provinces Unies vers l'Empereur de Chine, ou Grand Cam de Tartarie.

2 parts in 1 vol., folio: [16]-290, [2]-134-[2] pp. (some occ. soiling and spotting, stain in lower corner first few ff., engr. title loosening).

Cont. mottl. calf, gilt orn. spine on 6 raised bands, brown leather title label, red edges, gilt sides (sl. rubbed). Very good copy.

First edition of the French translation of this great travel account by J. Nieuhof (1618-1672), appearing the same year as the original in Dutch. Engr. ills: title (the Emperor, seated with a globe looking down on a convicted criminal), title vign., full-page portr. of J.B. Colbert, headpiece and initial on dedication to Colbert, 1 folding map of China, 33 double-page pls (views of Chinese cities, i.a. the Forbidden City) and 110 large pls in text (villages, ceremonies, costumes, plants, animals, ...). The 1st part gives an account of the travels through the Chinese provinces and cities, the 2nd part is on the natural world of the country, and the practices and habits of the Chinese people. The mission gave a start to the Dutch trade relations with China. Between 1655 and 1657, Nieuhof traversed the country with the merchants de Goyer and de Keyzer. Their reception there was quite reserved and the commercial outcome rather small. But Nieuhof's book was an immediate success, largely because of the impressive illustrations of this little known part of the world, after drawings by the author and compiled by his brother Hendrik. Title in red and black. Ref. Tiele 801 (note). - Landwehr (VOC) 540. - Cordier (Sinica) II-2345. - STCN (i.a. BL). Prov. Bibliothèque de Boussoit - Cte L. de Nédonchel (mod. arm. bookpl.). - Ownership entries on titles and portr. crossed out. - [Georges Petit].