PALLEGOIX (Jean-Baptiste). Description du Royaume Thai ou Si - Lot 168

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 volumes in 1 vol. In-8, (4)-488 p. 1 folding map and 8 plates; (4)-425 p., 8 plates, period blue percaline, smooth spine, brown title page (spine faded, foxing, map torn in one corner). First edition illustrated with 16 hors-texte engravings and a folding map engraved by Erhard of the Kingdom of Siam, including a map of Bangkok (55 x 40 cm). Jean-Baptiste Pallegoix (1805-1862), a priest of the Missions étrangères society, bishop of Mallus and later bishop apostolic, 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. Provenance: de Valroger (bookplate on title); handwritten signatures on title. (Cordier, Indosinica, I, 735).