China Monumentis, qua Sacris quà Profanis, Nec non variis Naturae & Artis Spectaculis, Aliarumque rerum memorabilium Argumentis Illustrata
- Amsterdam: Johannes Janssonium á Waesberge & Elizium Weyerstraet, 1667
Amsterdam: Johannes Janssonium á Waesberge & Elizium Weyerstraet, 1667. First edition. Near Fine. Folio (9 x 243 mm). [*4], [**4], 1-237, [238-248, index] pp; [*4], [**4], A4 - Gg3, index Gg4 - Hh4; 8 ff. (incl. the engraved title). Finely engraved allegorical frontispiece title-page. Twenty-three engraved plates (one of which is folding), two double-page engraved maps, and fifty-nine engravings in the text. Early vellum over boards, covers ruled in blind and with central blind-stamped device. Spine with five raised bands, ruled in gilt. Red morocco label lettered in gilt. Endpapers renewed many years ago, all edges stained red. Upper and lower joints cracked but sound. A wonderful example with the plates and maps bright and fresh, Near Fine.
“The true first edition of Kircher’s profusely illustrated account of China, based on descriptions by many European explorers, including many Jesuits such as Kircher himself. [This edition] is larger in size, the Amsterdam and Antwerp counterfeit prints of the same year are about five centimeters smaller and with the engravings redone. The engravings are based on these explorers’ sketches and original images imported from Asia. This work includes the first Chinese vocabulary ever printed in the West . . . the standard text for the study of Chinese until the nineteenth century” (Merrill).
Merrill 20; Brunet III, 666-67; Caillet II, 361.5773; Clendening 9.14; De Backer I, 428-29.21; Ebert 11397; Graesse IV, 21; Sommervogel IV, 1063-65.24. Near Fine.
“The true first edition of Kircher’s profusely illustrated account of China, based on descriptions by many European explorers, including many Jesuits such as Kircher himself. [This edition] is larger in size, the Amsterdam and Antwerp counterfeit prints of the same year are about five centimeters smaller and with the engravings redone. The engravings are based on these explorers’ sketches and original images imported from Asia. This work includes the first Chinese vocabulary ever printed in the West . . . the standard text for the study of Chinese until the nineteenth century” (Merrill).
Merrill 20; Brunet III, 666-67; Caillet II, 361.5773; Clendening 9.14; De Backer I, 428-29.21; Ebert 11397; Graesse IV, 21; Sommervogel IV, 1063-65.24. Near Fine.