CHOISY (François-Timoléon de). Journal du voyage de Siam fai - Lot 39

CHOISY (François-Timoléon de). Journal du voyage de Siam fait Par M. l'Abbé de Choisy. Trevoux, par La Compagnie, 1741. In-12, (4)-512 p., contemporary brown calf, spine ribbed, fawn title page, red edges (flaws including snags to headpieces, small wetness in margin of q. f. and title, not serious). Important account of the abbe' de Choisy (1644-1724) who "left, to be somewhat forgotten, with the embassy sent by Louis XIV to the King of Siam. He had promised his friend Dangeau to write him a report: he kept his word. The turn is banter, the mood jovial, the spirit mocking and skeptical. " (Bourgeois). This account offers invaluable information, particularly on customs, religious ceremonies, mores, descriptions of pagodas with gilded idols and hunting. Second edition enlarged with a table of contents, which is bound at the head of the volume. (Cordier, I, 941).