Tavernier, Jean Baptiste | An assembled set of earliest editions of Tavernier’s voyages in the Persia and the Far East

Tavernier, Jean Baptiste

Les Six Voyages... en Turquie, en Perse, et aux Indes. Paris: Gervais Clouzier and Claude Barbin, 1676 and 1677

2 volumes, 4to (248 x 178 mm). 33 engraved plates, 8 of which are folding, 3 engraved illustrations, woodcut illustrations, and woodcut ornaments in text; dampstaining, occasional spots, some instances of light soiling and toning, a long tear to the first folding plate in volume I, and few additional splits and tears along the folds of some of the other plates, as often is the case. Volume I bound in contemporary brown speckled calf, gilt spine; skillful restorations to spine and corners. Volume II in calf-backed blue paste paper boards, gilt spine; restorations to spine and board edges, hinges reinforced, rubbing and wear to boards with some losses to the paper surface. Housed in uniform custom green cloth clamshell cases.

An assembled set of the earliest editions of Tavernier’s important travel narrative, comprised of a first edition of the first volume, and a second edition of the second volume. A third volume was also published, but it lacks any gemological content.

REFERENCES

Sinkankis 6499 and 6500