[Francois SANSON] M SansonBiblio.com
Estat present du royaume de Perse Present State of the Kingdom of Persia
169490853Paris: Veuve de Jacques LangloisVeuve de R. ChevillonJacques Langlois 1694. Fine. Veuve de Jacques Langlois Veuve de R. Chevillon Jacques Langlois Paris 1694 9.5 x 16.5 cm Relié Rare illustrated first edition with 5 copper-engraved plates hors-texte including 2 folding plates cf. Barbier II 302. Schwab 517. Hage Chahine 4320. Wilson 200. Absent from Blackmer and Atabey. Our copy lacks the two dedication leaves to Rouillié often missing with repairs to the joints and one corner and a manuscript ex-libris on the title-page. Contemporary full mottled fawn calf spine with five raised bands gilt and decorated with gilt compartments and floral tools tan calf title-label gilt fillets to the edges partly faded speckled edges. Sanson a zealous apostolic missionary tireless traveller and accomplished diplomat arrived in Persia in 1683 learning Armenian Turkish and Persian while travelling through the kingdom in order to ""consoler les chrétiens qui y habitent"". He took an interest in everything ""murs situation antiquités"" of the regions he crossed and eventually gained access to the Palace ""qui ne sont accordées qu'aux grands seigneurs de Perse"" attending all audiences and taking part in every banquet.</p><p>He spent three years close to Soliman before returning to France bringing Louis XIV a personal message from the ""roi"" of Persia. Provenance: copy from the library of the literary critic Émile Faguet 18471916 with his vignette bookplate pasted to the inside board. Veuve de Jacques LangloisVeuve de R. ChevillonJacques Langlois hardcover
