TAVERNIER (Jean-Baptiste). Les Six voyages en Turquie, en Pe - Lot 225

TAVERNIER (Jean-Baptiste). Les Six voyages en Turquie, en Perse et aux Indes. - Suite des voyages, ou Nouveau recüeil de plusieurs relations et traitez singuliers et curieux. Paris, Gervais Clouzier, 1679-1682. 3 vols. in-4, brown calf, spine ribbed and decorated (period binding). Rubbed and worn. Old foxing. Ex-libris Bibliothèque du Grand Séminaire de Versailles. Second collective edition of Tavernier's travels in Turkey, Persia and India. The first two volumes were originally published in 1676-1677, and the third volume appeared separately in 1679 under the title 'Recueil de plusieurs relations et traitez singuliers et curieux'. The third volume contains the following five parts: I. Relation du Japon & de la cause de la persécution des Chrestiens dans les Isles, II. Relation de ce qui s'est passé dans la négociation des députez qui ont été en Perse & aux Indes, tant de la part du Roy, que de la Compagnie française, pour l'establissement du Commerce, III. Observations sur le commerce des Indes orientales, & sur les fraudes qui s'y peuvent commettre, IV. Relation nouvelle & singulière du royaume de Tunquin, V. Histoire de la conduite des Hollandois en Asie, contenant plusieurs histoires curieuses sur ce sujet. The first volume, dated 1681, is illustrated with 7 engraved plates out of text, some of which are folding (without the frontispiece portrait of Tavernier in Persian costume). One large fold-out plate torn but not missing. The second volume, dated 1682, is illustrated with 24 plates out of text (including coins and precious stones + vignettes in t.). The third volume, dated 1679, is illustrated with a large fold-out map of Japan, a fold-out map of Tonkin and 8 fold-out plates (processions). (without Tavernier's frontispiece portrait). Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605-1689) led an adventurous life as a trader in fabrics and precious stones throughout the Orient from the age of 15 for 40 years, amassing an immense fortune. He sold over three million worth to Louis XIV alone, who ennobled him for services rendered to French commerce. His six voyages took him to Turkey, Persia, India, Sumatra and Java. In India, he discovered Agra and the famous kingdom of Golconde, then the great center of diamond production and cutting. "According to a note in the catal. manuscript of the Bibliothèque impér. the Voyages de Tavernier were written from his own notes, partly by Chapuzeau, his friend, and partly by Daulier des Landes, who accompanied him on one of his journeys", Brunet (Brunet, V, 681; Cordier, Indosinica, IV, 2419; Cordier Japonica, 392 for the 2nd part). Expert : Madame Elvire POULAIN-MARQUIS