L'ambassade de la Compagnie orientale des Provinces Unies vers l'empereur de la Chine, ou grand cam de Tartarie [...].

2 parts in 1 vol. folio: [16, engr. title incl.]-290 (= 294), [2]-134-[1] pp. (with the 2nd f. num. 116 and 117; some soiling and foxing, marg. tears even to pl., tear to p. 109 of 1st part without lack, tear to pl. of p. 209 strengthened, marg. holes to pp. 125-128 of 1st part and to the 3 following pl., map. and 1 pl. sl. browned).

19th-c. three-quarter sheep, marbled paper covers, spine with raised bands gilt ruled (rubbed, joints split, head & tail lacking).

First edition of the French translation of this great travel account by J. Nieuhof (1618-1672), appearing the same year as the original in Dutch. Engr. ill.: title (the Emperor, seated with a globe looking down on a convicted criminal), title vign., full-page portr. of J.B. Colbert, headpiece and initial on dedication to Colbert, 1 folding map of China, 34 double-page pl. (views of Chinese cities, i.a. the Forbidden City) and 110 large engravings in text (villages, ceremonies, costumes, plants, animals, etc). The 1st part gives an account of the travels through the Chinese provinces and cities, the 2nd part is on the fauna & flora of the country, and the practices and habits of the Chinese people. The mission helped to start the Dutch trade relations with China. Between 1655 and 1657, Nieuhof traversed the country with the merchants de Goyer and de Keyzer. Their reception there was quite reserved and the commercial outcome rather small. But Nieuhof's book was an immediate success, largely because of the impressive illustrations of this little known part of the world, after drawings by the author and compiled by his brother Hendrik. Title in red and black.
Ref. Tiele 801 (note). - Landwehr, VOC, 540. - Cordier, Sinica, 2345. - STCN (i.a. BL).
Prov. Ms. ownership entries crossed out on title and engr. title.