CHARLEVOIX, Pierre François Xavier de.
Histoire du Japon; ... Nouvelle édition.
Paris, Rollin (colophon vol. 6: printed by dHours fils), 1754. 6 volumes. 12mo. With 56 engraved plates (including 28 folding maps, plans and other illustrations and 28 single-page botanical plates). Contemporary mottled calf, gold tooled spines. [4], XXIV, 417, [1], [2 blank]; [4], LXXXV, [3], 429, [1]; [4], “558” [=528], [1], [1 blank]; [4], 534, [1], [1 blank]; [4], 479, [1]; [4], 386, [6] pp.
€ 4,950
One of two issues published in the same year, of the third incarnation of Charlevoix's notable history of Japan, which is considered the best by Brunet, since it is revised, augmented and arranged in better order than previous editions. The first volume gives a general introduction to the country, treating its geography, topography, climate, ethnography, politics, education, religions, etc., and the other five volumes contain the history itself, which is divided into 20 chapters starting with the discovery of Japan by the Portuguese in 1542. Several parts, especially those concerning natural history, are drawn from Kaempfer.
With manuscript bookplate of Cournault on each pastedown and page numbers added in pencil to the index of volume one. Restored tear in two plates and some occasional spots throughout, otherwise a very good copy. The bindings also very good, with only the spines slightly worn. Alt-Japan-Katalog 325; Brunet I, col. 1806; Cordier, Japonica, col. 423.
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