Almeyda, Emmanuel de, and others

FIRST EDITION, 8vo (152 x 102mm.), woodcut Jesuit device on title, later boards

Cordier, Sinica 816; Löwendahl 77

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The "letters" in this work include relations from Ethiopia (1627, Almeyda), Kiatim, China (1626, Diaz), and Macao (1591–1631, Baldinotti). In particular, Baldinotti gives an important early account of Vietnam and the Jesuit mission there.

Jesuit Emmanuel Diaz (1559-1639) arrived in China in 1615, was exiled to Macao following the persecutions at Nanking in 1616, and was sent back to Peking in 1621. Nominated Vice-Provincial for China in 1623 following the death of Jean de Rocha, he held this position with great skill and diplomacy for eighteen years. He spent some time during the 1630s working throughout south China, in particular at Jiangxi and Fuzhou and finally Hangzhou, where he died on 28 November 1639.