Lettres édifiantes et curieuses, Écrites des Missions Étrangères. Nouvelle Édition.
Paris: J.G. Merigot, 1780.
Second Edition. Hardcover (Full Leather). Good Condition (ex-library). Item #044680
26 volumes with 26 maps and 29 plates, many folding, published 1780-1783 - Howes (299) lists 56 as the total number, but copies seem to vary in plate number, often lower (but not map number). 26 volumes in matching sponged calf, worn with library marks to the spine and title pages, many hinges weak, spines dry and chipped, spine strip lacking on vol one, one volume in similar full calf with no library markings. Internally a few minor tears, one plate in vol 19 detached at the fold, a few loose pages, occasional browning including to plate edges, some folding plates mis-folded, tear at one fold to the plate of Chinese constellations, slight moisture damage to a few volumes, mostly external but slight spotting to a few plates; generally clean and unmarked. Includes the rare map of California engraved from Fr. Kino's original manuscript in 1701 (original since lost) "Passage par terre a la Californie decouvert par le Rev. pere Eusebe-Francois Kino" that disproved the pervasive California is an island myth. Sabin 40698 ("This edition is generally preferred to the original because it has the advantage of being systematically arranged")
Collected in the 16th and 17th centuries during the Jesuit missions abroad under Loyola and Xavier, the Letters were first published from 1702-1776 and were widely influential during the enlightenment, redrawing European views of a rapidly expanding world. Leibniz called the mission to China "la plus grande affaire de notre temps". Size: duodecimo (12mo). 26-volume set (complete). Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Over 3 kilos. Category: Exploration; Religion & Theology. Inventory No: 044680.
Price: $2,500.00