PALLEGOIX (Jean-Baptiste). Description du Royaume Thai ou Si - Lot 167

PALLEGOIX (Jean-Baptiste). Description du Royaume Thai ou Siam comprenant la topographie, histoire naturelle, mœurs et coutumes, législation, commerce, industrie, langue, littérature, religion, annales des Thai et précis historique de la mission. Paris, Se vend au profit de la mission de Siam, 1854. 2 vol. in-8, (4)-488 p. + (4)-425 p., contemporary blond half-calf, spine ribbed, red title page and green morocco lettering (flaws including brittle jaws on t.1, worn headbands, foxing). First edition. Illustrated with 16 plates and numerous in-text illustrations, 1 folding map (55 x 40 cm) of the Kingdom of Siam (which includes a plan of Bangkok) engraved by Erhard. Jean-Baptiste Pallegoix (1805-1862), a priest of the Foreign Missions Society, Bishop of Mallus and later Apostolic Bishop, travelled the length and breadth of Siam during his 32-year residence. This rich account of his observations of the countryside offers a detailed description of towns and cities, flora and fauna, as well as an exhaustive analysis of the spiritualities of the Thai and Siamese kingdoms, and of the country's ethnic composition. He was behind the resumption of diplomatic relations between France and Siam, which had been interrupted since Louis XIV. (Cordier, Bibliotheca Indosinica I, 735).