TAVERNIER, JEAN-BAPTISTE · 1678

TAVERNIER, JEAN-BAPTISTE. The Six Voyages of John Baptista Tavernier

USD 8,500

Jean-Baptiste Tavernier (1605–1689) The Six Voyages of John Baptista Tavernier London, 1678 First edition in English Complete with 24 engraved plates

TAVERNIER, JEAN-BAPTISTE. The Six Voyages of John Baptista Tavernier, a noble man of France now living, through Turky into Persia, and the East-Indies, finished in the year 1670. Giving an account of the state of those countries. Illustrated with divers sculptures. Together with a new relation of the present Grand Seignor’s seraglio, by the same author. Made English by J.P. To which is added a description of all the kingdoms which encompass the Euxine and Caspian seas. By an English traveller, never before printed. London, printed for R[obert]. L[ittlebury]. and M[oses]. P[itt]. and are to be sold by John Starkey at the Miter in Fleet-street, near Temple Bar, and Moses Pitt at the Angel in St. Paul’s Church-Yard, 1678.

Attractive copy of Tavernier’s account of his travels to the East. One of the most popular works of its time and translated into several European languages, it is still regarded as an important source for information about the period. There were five variant editions printed in 1678. One was dated 1677 in error. It was first published in French in two parts, 1676 & 1679.

Tavernier (1605-1689) spent eleven months in Constantinople before setting out on his first journey. He joined a caravan for Persia in 1638 and, between 1643 and 1668, made six voyages to Persia, India, the East Indies, and Japan. During his travels he amassed a large collection of diamonds and other jewels. His successful commercial enterprise was recognised by Louis XIV, and he was granted a patent of nobility for his contribution to the establishment of French trade in Asia. It was Tavernier who indicated the trade routes to the East and made it possible for others to follow him.

First edition in English; folio (32.5 x 20.5 cm); 24 engraved plates (2 folding, 1 with short split to fold), contemporary sprinkled calf, neatly rebacked preserving old red morocco lettering piece, lower outer corner upper board repaired, a very good copy; [2], 2, [18], 184, 195-264, [2], 214, [8], 119, [3] pp. cf. Blackmer 1632; Sinkankas 6504.

Edition

First Edition

Provenance

Provenance: Henry Gorges, the gift of his father Charles (charming inscription on front pastedown dated 1681).

Condition

Short split to one folding plate, rebacking and a repaired board corner, partially excised blank flyleaf.

Status

Available