Histoire Generale des Voyages ou Nouvelle Collection de toutes les relations de voyages par mer et par terre… (vol. 10) [General History of Travel or New Collection of All Relations of Travel by Sea and Land…]

Description

VI, 1 leaf, 688pp., hardbound, contemporary half calf, gilted, with 10 copper engravings maps (7 folded/double page incl. Philippines North & South), 17 copper engraving plates (1 double page).

First edition, vol. 10; Travel collection covers trips to the Arabian Peninsula, Industan, Kashmir, India, the Philippines, Japan etc. The maps show North and South India, the Mariana Islands/Guam, the Philippines (2 : North & South), Celebes and Japan. With 3 plans of Meaco (Kyoto), [J]edo (Tokyo) and Na[n]gasaki. Among the panels are illustrations of traditional costumes, coffee, coins, Japanese coats of arms, weapons and much more – initially edited by Prévost based on J. Green’s “New General Collection of Voyages and Travels” (4 volumes; London, Astley, 1745-47). A. F. Prévost d’Exiles (1697 – 1763), also known as  Abbé Prévost, was a French author and novelist who wrote the famous ‘Manon Lescaut’, later composed into an opera by Puccini. From 1746 onwards he published the first volumes of his Histoire générale des voyages, completed to 25 volumes after his death. Thework presents a full overview of the living of rulers, people, animals and plants overseas. Many engravings of views and maps were added, many created by Bellin.