"Recueil de plusieurs Relations et Traitez Singuliers et Curieux", Tavernier, Jean Baptiste

Tavernier (1605-1689) was a famous French merchant whose travels pioneered trade with India and the Orient, the subject of which occupy the bulk of his writings. Two maps accompany this work; Carte des Isles du Iapon (12.5 x 8.3") is a reduced version of Tavernier's rare map of Japan. Tavernier had not actually visited Japan, but compiled his map from reports gathered during his travels. The map follows the Blancus/Moreira model with a slightly enlarged Noto Peninsula. Most of the detail is confined to the southern coastlines where the route of the Dutch from Nagasaki to Edo is traced. Adorned with a title cartouche, compass rose and a variety of ships. This is the second state with the page number beside the title cartouche instead of above the top right border. The second map, Carte Faite sur les par Daniel Tavernier en Plusieurs Voiagesquil a Fait au Tonquin (6.5 x 8.3"), is a very desirable map of the Indochine coast. The mapmaker has named the Con Son Islands "Tortues" due to the abundance of turtles and has decorated the map with a compass rose, title cartouche, ships and a lovely vignette of Neptune riding his chariot across the sea. Includes 8 folding plates that depict local inhabitants and views of their villages and the landscape. 570 pages. 18mo. Complete, two parts bound in one. Original hardbound in quarter leather and brown marbled boards with title in gilt on spine.

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Condition: A

The maps have short binding tears that travel past the neatline, but do not reach the image. Some light offsetting and a couple small, unobtrusive spots as well. The rest of the contents are very good with some plates toned along the edges, some minor damp staining and a couple misfolded. Covers are slightly shelf worn and rubbed. Leather spine is cracked along the front hinge, and is starting to separate. Binding is sound. Overall very good example of a difficult to find edition of this important book.