Rerum morumque in Regno Chinensi maxime notabilium historia. Ex ipsis Chinensium libris & religiosorum, qui in illo primi fuerunt literis ac relatione concinnata.

2 parts in 1 vol., 4to: [4]-176, 222-[14] pp. (some minor spotting or toning).

Contemp. marbled calf, gilt-titled spine with raised bands (sl. soiled and rubbed). Good copy.

Very rare early account of China, Japan and the Catholic Missions, with references to Mexico and the Philippines, by the Augustinian Mendoza (1540-1617) (1st 1585 "Historia [...] del gran reyno de la China"). Our ed. translated from the Spanish by the Augustinian theologian and historian, Forest born Joachim Bruel (d. 1653). The 1st part is a description of the country (climate, customs, government and religion, history, use of torture, architecture, feasts, etc.), the 2nd contains the accounts of Augustian and Franciscan monks travelling from the New World or the Philippines to China, i.a. Martin Ignacio de Loyola (1583). Woodcut mark on title.
Ref. Palau 105517 ("rara obra"). - Cordier, Japonica, 92. - Sabin 27782. - Brunet II:1662 (note). - STCV. - Cp. Leclerc 255, Cordier, Sinica, 8.
Prov. Jo[hann]es De Man (contemp. ms. entries on flylvs).