Lot 174
  • 174

D'ABBEVILLE. HISTOIRE DE LA MISSION DES PERES CAPUCINS. 1614

Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • [Histoire de la mission des peres capucins en l'Isle de Maragnan et terre circonvoisines ou est traicte des singularitez admirables & des meurs merveilleueses des Indiens habitants de ce pais. Paris: Francois Huby, 1614]
FIRST EDITION, 8vo (178 x 115mm.), a8, A8-3E8, 7 full-page engravings, woodcut initials, contemporary vellum, titled in ink to the spine, title in facsimile, lacking errata leaf, a2 with small area incised and E8 with minor loss to lower corner, a few small tears, duplicate B4 replacing H8, front hinge cracked, vellum slightly soiled and worn, lacking ties

Provenance

"A.F.", stamps on upper cover and front flyleaf; English shelf mark on verso of front flyleaf

Literature

Sabin 4; Borba da Moraes 1:5-7 (edition A); Leclerc, Bibliotheca Americana 1570

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, 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."

Catalogue Note

VERY RARE. ONE OF THE EARLIEST BOOKS ON THE EUROPEAN COLONIZATION OF BRAZIL. A narrative of the mission of the French Capuchins to Maranhão in 1612, by Fathers Yves d'Evreux, Arsène de Paris, Ambroise d'Amiens, and Claude d'Abbeville. De Paris and d'Abbeville returned to France after a few months, brining back six Tupinamba Indians for baptism. They caused an enormous sensation in Paris, and this edition was printed very quickly to take advantage of the curiosity of the French people. Unfortunately three of the Indians died shortly after their arrival. The other three later returned to Brazil.

First edition with "Ciel" as last word on a2, "con" as the last word on a6, leaf 395 unnumbered, 27pp. table at end, printed in single columns. A second edition 'B' was printed the same year in identical format.

VERY RARE. The historians Alfred Métraux and Jacques Lafaye state that only 10 copies are still in existence: "il ne reste plus actuellement qu'une dizaine d'exemplaires au monde de l'édition originale, celle de l'imprimerie de François Huby à Paris."