Lot 176
  • 176

[Verbiest, Ferdinand]

Estimate
3,000 - 4,000 GBP
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Description

  • Voyages de l'Empereur de la Chine, dans la Tartarie, ausquels on a joint une nouvelle découverte au Mexique. Paris: Estienne Michallet, 1685.
  • Paper
FIRST EDITION, 12mo (146 x 76mm.), woodcut head- and tail-pieces, modern calf-backed marbled boards, by Atelier Laurenchet, spine tooled in gilt with raised bands, speckled edges, scattered foxing, light browning, minor wear to boards

Literature

Cordier, Sinica 635; Sabin 98928; Western Travellers in China 25

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"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

"VERY RARE first edition of this interesting account of Ferdinand Verbiest, a Belgian Jesuit famous in both Europe and China. Verbiest (1623-1688) entered the Society of Jesus in 1641. In 1660 he was sent to Beijing to assist the German Jesuit missionary Johan Adam Schall, in the opening of Jesuit missions in China, and became a tutor and advisor to emperor Kangxi. Verbiest introduced astronomy, a modern perpetual calendar, and the modern concept of world cartography to China. He also constructed an observatory in Beijing" (Western Travellers in China).