Thevenot, Jean de

FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH, 3 parts in one volume, folio (318 x 195mm.), engraved portrait frontispiece, title within double-ruled border, 3 divisional titles, 3 engraved plates, engraved illustration of Malabar cyphers, contemporary sheep, roll-tool border on covers, red edges, minor worming at beginning, mostly marginal, binding rubbed and rebacked

W. Hickman, bookplate and ownership inscription

Atabey 1217; Blackmer 1650 (first edition, in French); Weber II, 314; Wing T887

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."

"Thevenot's travels mark the beginning of the grand epoch of travel and exploration in the Levant" (Blackmer). Jean de Thevenot began his travels in the Levant in 1655, returning to Paris in 1659 to prepare the first part of his work for publication. It describes Constantinople, the Aegean Archipelago, Asia Minor and Egypt. He left Paris again in 1663, travelling to Damascus and Aleppo and thence across the desert to Bir, Orfa, Mosul and Bagdad. He spent five months in Isfahan observing local customs before joining a caravan lead by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, with whom he fell out. He further explored Persepolis and sailed from Basra to India. On his return journey he fell ill and died near Tabriz in 1667. At the end is an alphabetical list of "the principal places described and treated of in this work", including Adra Isle [Andros], Cerigo, Chio, Delos, Gozo, Matla, Milo, Nio [Ios], Nixia [Naxos], Patino [Patmos], Rhodes, Samos, Santorini, and Valetta. There are also entries for the Red Sea, Mecha [Mecca] and Medina.