Relation d'un voyage du Levant [...].

2 vol., 4to: [18]-544, [4]-526-[40] pp.; 153 pl. (occ. wormholes in text, occ. light stain).

Contemp. mottled sheep, gilt-orn. spine with raised bands, red edges (sl. worn, rubbed, sm. lack of leather on covers and spines).

First ed. of this work composed of letters sent by Tournefort to the Count of Pontchartrain during his journey from March 1700 to June 1702, ill. with 153 etchings (6 fold.) and various in the text depicting costumes, fauna and flora, town views, antique monuments. The French botanist Tournefort (1656-1708) was sent to the East on the recommendation of the Count of Pontchartrain, Secretary of State, who wanted to set up scientific expeditions to study natural history, geography , economy, religions and foreign cultures. He visited Crete, the Greek islands, Constantinople, Armenia, Georgia, a part of Asia Minor in the company of the draughtsman Claude Aubriet and the German botanist Andreas Gundelsheimer.
Ref. Lipperheide 1442 (134 engr.). - Nissen (ZBI) 4154 (131 engr.). - Brunet V:903.