LA LOUBERE (Simon de). Du Royaume de Siam. Paris, Paris, veu - Lot 135

LA LOUBERE (Simon de). Du Royaume de Siam. Paris, Paris, veuve de J.-B. Coignard, J.-B. Coignard, 1691., 1691. 2 vol. in-12, (14)-555-(4) and (4)-404-(4) p., contemporary marbled havana calf, spine ribbed, red title page, green morocco, red edges (worm marks on 2 covers, traces of yellow adhesive on folds of maps, foxing, 2 plates lacking in t.2). First edition. Illustrated with 2 head vignettes: vignette with the coat of arms of the Marquis de Torcy, to whom the edition is dedicated; Maison de bambou fait exprés pour les envoyez du roy, 2 ornate initials and (in this copy) 38 (of 40) engraved plates by Franz Ertinger, some double-page or folding, (plans, costumed figures, fauna, flora, tools, musical scores) and 2 folding maps: Carte du royaume de Siam; Carte du cours du Menam depuis Siam jusqu'à la mer. Simon de La Loubère (1643-1729) was the last official representative of Louis XIV to be sent to Siam, in 1687. He brought back copious notes, and in 1691 wrote this work, which was celebrated for its erudition and elegance of style from the outset, but was never republished in France. Provenance: Huzard, de l'Institut; Chapitre de Viviers (modern stamp on titles); F. Binehof (modern bookplate); Lucien de Contagnet (modern bookplate).