MAFFEI Giovanno Pietro L’histoire des Indes orientales et occidentales. Traduite de latin en françois par M.M.D.P.

De Backer Sommervogel V, 299 ; Sabin 43783 ; Palau, 146991 ; Brunet III, 1291 ; Borba de Moraes, 509 ; Cordier, Sinica, 784 ; Cordier, Japonica, 66.

First of the French translation by the priest and historigrapher Michel de Pure (1620-1680). At the same time this is third – and most important – translation into French, following that of Edmond Auger, published in 1571 (a small extract of only 91 pages), followed by another translation of Arnauld de la Borie in 1604. Curiously the first French translation preceded the original Latin edition by 17 years (FLorence, Giunta, 1588).

This major work by the Italian Jesuit Giovanni Pietro Maffei (1538-1603) describes the Portuguese conquests and 16th-century voyages to the East Indies, Persia, Japan, China, Brazil, and other aprts of America. This translation divided into 16 long chapters is particularly nbotable for its detailed account of Brazil and ist descrioption of China and Japan, including a section on Japanese tea and its preparation for guests (“l’eau presque brulante mêlée avec de la poudre de Chia, dont nous avons parlé, fait les délices de leur boisson. Ils sont soigneux de l’avoir bien faite”, p. 137).

“Father Maffei took twelve years to write his history of the Indies, spending his time in Lisbon assembling his material. It is a classic work on the subject, and enjoyed great success when it appeared. It was reprinted many times” (Borba).

Very good, well preserved copy.