Relation historique de l'Éthiopie occidentale contenant la description des royaumes de Congo, Angolle, & Matamba [...].

5 vol., 12mo: [4]-495-[17], [2]-457-[23], [4]-462-[27], [2]-506-[23], [2]-408-[20] pp.; 32 pl. (some normal, light toning, occ. spotting).

Contemp. sheep, gilt-orn. spines with raised bands, red edges (heads and tails sl. damaged, corners sl. bumped).

First edition of this French trsl. by Labat of the work of Antonio Cavazzi (1621-1678), 1st publ. in Italian in 1687. Cavazzi arrived in 1654 in Congo and stayed there for 37 years. This work is by far the most important account of the time on Congo and present-day Angola and Matamba. Augmented with several Portuguese relations devoted to this region of West Africa: the Voyage of Père Michel-Ange and Père Denis by Carli Capuchins to the Kingdom of the Congo and the Journal of a Voyage from Lisbon to the Isle of S. Thome, made by a Portuguese in 1626. Ill. with 3 engr. folding maps and 29 engr. folding pl., incl. scenes of life, landscapes and flora.
Ref. Gay 3070. - Borba de Moraes 171. - BnF.
Prov. Amand Tack (old ms. entry).