Lettres édifiantes et curieuses, Écrites des Missions Étrangères. Nouvelle Édition.
Paris: J.G. Merigot, 1780.
Second Edition. Hardcover (Full Leather). Very Good Condition. Item #047123
ISBN: NoISBN
Attractively rebound in full modern brown sheep. 26 volumes with 26 maps and 28 plates and tables, many folding, published 1780-1783 - Howes (299) lists 56 as the total number of maps and plates, but copies seem to show some variation in plate number. 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"). Small tear in the margin of the Jesuit beheading plate in vol 16, a few small tears in the margin, one or two with minor repairs, minor foxing, browning, but generally very good or better overall.
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: 047123.
Price: $5,000.00