Envoy Extraordinary from the French King. To the King of Siam, in the Years 1687 and 1688. Wherein a Full and Curious Account is Given of the Chinese Way of Arithmatick and Mathematick Learning.

By De La Loubere, Simon

London: printed by F.L. for Tho. Horne, Francis Saunders, and Tho. Bennet, 1693. First Edition. 4to – 31.4 cm. 260 pages, with three full-page maps and eight full-page copper engravings. Title page printed in red and black. A very handsome recent binding with sepia cloth and ¾ brown calf, spine with five raised bands and chocolate morocco label and bright gilt title. Two volumes (tomes) bound in one. Translated from the original French into English by A.P. Gen. R. S.S. A most handsome and complete copy of this Rare publication.

Simon De La Loubere was envoy extraordinary from the King of France to the court of the King of Siam in 1687 to 1688. The detailed text describes the Siamese alphabet, chess, smoking, astronomy, magical squares, etc besides providing a 3-page description of the Cape of Good Hope and its inhabitants – including two engraved views of Table Mountain, a plan for a Dutch factory at the Cape, and a Hottentot family. Cordier 723; Satow 58; Wing L-201.

$5500.00 -