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Author: Kircher, Athanasius
Title: La Chine D'Athanase Kirchere...Illustrée de Plusieurs Monuments Tant Sacrés que Profanes
Place Published: Amsterdam
Publisher:Jan Jansson and the heirs of Elive Weyerstraet
Date Published: 1670
Description:

[14], 367, [12], pp. Translated from the Latin into French by F.S. Galquie. 25 copper-engraved plates including frontispiece and pictorial title-page; 2 folding copper-engraved maps and 65 in-text engravings (most half-page). (Folio) 37.5x24 cm (14¾x9½"),, period calf boards recently rebacked in vegetable-dyed calf. morocco lettering piece, raised bands. First French Edition, fourth overall.

German Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher (1601-80), "the last Renaissance Man", described the early presence of Nestorian Christians in China. His encyclopedic account of China drew on extensive reports of the early presence of Jesuits in China including those of Mateo Ricci. While some denigrated the massive work's significance, deeming it "entertainment" instead of serious scholarship, others convincingly argue that China Illustrata was the first and most important writing to shape Western understanding and knowledge of China for over two hundred years. Indeed, it became one of the most influential and popular books of the 17th century. Previous owner's signature, date and doodle to front free endpaper reading "Acheph par Gaultier, le 12 Septembre 1681"

Boards somewhat heavily rubbed at edges and corners, some scratches and abrasions; chipping, creases and edge tears to endpapers with reinforced front hinge, binding shaken between dedication and preface with tape repair, some chips and several closed tears to a few leaves and plates, a bit of dampstaining; about very good.