- 175
Rycaut, Sir Paul.
Description
- The Present State of the Ottoman Empire. Containing the maxims of the Turkish politie, the most material points of the Mahometan religion, their sects and heresies, their convents and religious votaries, their military discipline, with an exact computation of their forces both by land and sea. Illustrated with divers pieces of sculpture, representing the variety of habits amongst the Turks. London: for John Starkey and Henry Brome, 1667, first edition, engraved frontispiece portrait of the author after Peter Lely, one engraved plate (depicting 4 subjects), 20 engravings in the text (two of which depict 2 subjects) chiefly of costume, Gg2-Gg4 with lists of books printed and sold by J. Starkey and H. Brome respectively, ?lacking one plate, leaf F1 torn and repaired with loss of a few letters, a few leaves with heavy brown staining, portrait slightly dust-soiled, frayed at margins and strengthened at outer edge
Together 2 works bound in one, folio (290 x 187mm.), eighteenth-century half calf, neatly rebacked
Provenance
Literature
Present State of the Ottoman Empire: cf. Blackmer 1463 (second edition only); not in the British Library; cf. Weber II, 326 (second edition); Wing R2412 (recording 3 copies only); cf. Atabey 1067 (third edition only)
History of the Turkish Empire: not in Blackmer; Wing R2406; Atabey 1074
Condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
the first work is one of a very small number of extant first editions, the vast majority having been destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Only three copies of this first edition are recorded in Wing: Queen's College, Oxford, Magdalene College, Cambridge (Pepys's copy) and Castle Ashby, there is no copy in the british library.
Pepys in his diary discusses first seeing this book on 15th October 1666 "After dinner away home, Mr Brisband along with me as far as the Temple; and there looked upon a new book, set out by one Rycault, secretary to my Lord Winchelsea, of the policy and customs of the Turkes, which is it seems much cried up - but I could not stay; but home..." and purchasing a copy on the 8th April 1667: "I away to the Temple to my new bookseller's [i.e. John Starkey; his old bookseller, Joseph Kirton of St Paul's churchyard, had been put out of business by the Fire], and there I did agree for Rycaut's late history of the Turkish Policy, which costs me 55s; whereas it was sold plain before the late fire for 8s, and bound and coloured as this for 20 - for I have bought it finely bound and truly coloured, all the figures; of which there was but six books done so''.
Rycaut's Present State of the Ottoman Empire is "an extremely important and influential work, which provides the fullest account of Ottoman affairs during the 17th century" (Blackmer). Rycaut went to Constantinople in 1661 as secretary to the ambassador to the Porte and in 1667 was appointed consul at Smyrna, where he resided for eleven years.