The six voyages of John Baptista Tavernier,

£4,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

Attractive copy of Tavernier's account of his travels to the East. One of the most popular works of its time and translated into several European languages, it is still regarded as an important source for information about the period. There were five variant editions printed in 1678. One was dated 1677 in error. It was first published in French in two parts, 1676 1679. Tavernier (1605-1689) spent eleven months in Constantinople before setting out on his first journey. He joined a caravan for Persia in 1638 and, between 1643 and 1668, made six voyages to Persia, India, the East Indies, and Japan. During his travels he amassed a large collection of diamonds and other jewels. His successful commercial enterprise was recognised by Louis XIV, and he was granted a patent of nobility for his contribution to the establishment of French trade in Asia. It was Tavernier who indicated the trade routes to the East and made it possible for others to follow him. First edition in English. Folio (32.5 x 20.5 cm), [2], 2, [18], 184, 195-264, [2], 214, [8], 119, [3] pp., 24 engraved plates (2 folding, 1 with short split to fold), contemporary sprinkled calf, neatly rebacked preserving old red morocco lettering piece, lower outer corner upper board repaired, a very good copy. cf. Blackmer 1632; Sinkankas 6504.

• Binding: Hardcover

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