CHARDIN, Jean.
Voyages de mr. le chevalier Chardin, en Perse, et autres lieux de l'Orient.
Amsterdam, J. L. de Lorme, 1711. 10 volumes. 12mo. With an engraved frontispiece portrait of Johannes Chardin, 1 engraved map, 79 engraved folding plates and 6 letterpress folding tables. Contemporary half morocco, gold-tooled spine. [24], 254; 334; 285, [1 blank]; 280; 312; 328; 448; 255, [1 blank]; 308; 220, [82] pp.
€ 4,000
First complete edition of the famous voyages of Jean Chardin in Persia, around the Gulf, and other Eastern countries. Jean Chardin (1643-1713) was the son of a wealthy Parisian jeweller. Since he was bent on travelling to the East, he proposed to his father to go and set up a diamond-trade with the East. On his first trip in 1665 he travelled through Persia and to Isfahan, the Persian capital. There he gained access to the court of Shah Abbas II, to whom he became the personal merchant jeweller. After extensive travelling through Persia, studying the religion and culture, he returned to Paris in 1670. Later in 1671 Chardin left again for the East and, meeting with many difficulties and dangers, took two years to reach Persia by way of Constantinople and Southern Russia. From Persia he proceeded to India and returned to France by way of the Cape of Good Hope in 1677. Among the numerous fine engravings are folding views of Tiflis, Erivan, Isfahan, Persepolis, etc., and some beautiful plates of architecture and costumes. Chardin is one of the most detailed observers of the Gulfs pearl fishing in this period.
Each volume with an armorial bookplate on pastedown. Binding rubbed along the extremities, some volumes are slightly cracked at the hinge. Leaves slightly browned, some occasional minor spots and a few owner's notes in pencil. Overall a very good copy. Atabey 219; Howgego, to 1800, C102; STCN (4 copies).
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