CHARDIN (Jean). Voyages de Monsieur le chevalier Chardin en - Lot 115

CHARDIN (Jean). Voyages de Monsieur le chevalier Chardin en Perse et autres lieux de l'Orient. The best description of 17th-century Persia. "This voyage is one of the most interesting published in the last century" (Brunet, I, 1802). Amsterdam: J. L. de Lorme, 1711. 10 volumes in 10 volumes of In-douze / In-12 format (165 x 104 mm). Tan glazed calf, ribbed spine decorated with red morocco parts, filleting on the boards. (Contemporary binding). I: (15) ff. with privilege, 254 pp. with engraved frontispiece portrait of the author, folding map, 1 plate out of text; II: 334 pp. with 9 folding plates; III: 285 pp. with 7 folding plates; IV: 280 pp. with 4 folding plates, 4 folding plates; V: 312 pp. with 4 folding plates and 6 folding tables; VI: 328 pp. with 4 folding plates; VII: 448 pp.; VIII: 255 pp. with 15 folding plates; IX: 308 pp. with 29 folding plates; X: 220 pp. with (41) ff. table. Title-piece of volume 10 missing, 4 jaws with small splits at ends, two headpieces damaged, traces of handling on some plates with a few small tears, but not missing. Endpapers renewed in the 19th century. Largely original edition, the first complete and much sought-after for its rich illustrations, including a portrait, a map and remarkable copper-engraved plates: views, monuments, costumes, antiquities, etc., as well as engraved chapter headbands. This copy lacks 5 of the expected 77 plates (2 in volume IV, 1 in volumes VI, VIII and IX). This famous travel report was the first to provide an accurate picture of the state of this region, which was particularly fashionable in the 18th century. Chardin was accompanied by a draughtsman, Grelot: all the views, scenes and portraits were taken from life, and the prints are of obvious interest for the study of customs and manners and the representation of Persian and Indian costumes. Some plates measure over 1 m by 165 mm. Published by Brunet, I, 1802; Chadenat 547; Atabey 219. Not in Blackmer. A pleasing copy of this important, handsomely illustrated relationship, rare complete with all 10 volumes, all dated 1711.