MAGALHAENS (Gabriel de). Nouvelle relation de la Chine, cont - Lot 139

MAGALHAENS (Gabriel de). Nouvelle relation de la Chine, contenant la description des particularitez les plus considerables de ce grand Empire traduite du portugais en françois Paris, Barbin, 1688. In-4, (26)-385-(11), contemporary brown calf, spine ribbed, gilt title, edges speckled, headpieces and corners restored (worm spots in foot margins; cut in margin p.165.). First edition, translated into French by the Jesuit Etienne Bernou (1662-1714), from the original manuscript brought back to Rome by Father Couplet and presented to Cardinal d'Estrées, who ordered the translation. Cardinal d'Estrées was particularly interested in Peking, which would explain the presence of the city plan in the work. Portuguese Jesuit Gabriel de Magalhaens (1610-1677) was assigned by his order to the mission of China, where he arrived in 1640, initially as a missionary in the province of Sichuan. He moved to Peking in 1648, where he was welcomed by Emperor Shunzhi, and was able to maintain his position in the good graces of his successor, Kangxi. His work is an invaluable source on Chinese history, political organization and the imperial city, Chinese science and knowledge, and Confucianism. The work is illustrated with a large fold-out map of Peking. Modern signature repeated in margins and on verso of plan; old ex-libris crossed out and ex-libris stamp on title. (Cordier, Sinica, 36; De Backer-Sommervogel, V, 308).