Rare books, manuscripts & photographs - Sale 196 - Lot 186

Lot 186
Rennefort, Urbain Souchu de
Histoire des Indes orientales. Paris: A. Seneuze & D. Hortemels, 1688, first edition, 4to, 3 larged engraved vignettes after Sevin, woodcut on title, Privilege leaf at end, modern vellum, spine gilt with morocco lettering pieces, cut a little close just trimming vignettes
Estimate £300-400

Note: Rennefort, secretary of the Conseil de la France Orientale, travelled to Madagascar in 1665 and was captured by the English on his return. The work is devoted in large part to Madagascar, but also to Ceylon, Surat, St. Helena, Brazil, and Calcutta and includes the first account of the city of Recife after the expulsion of the Dutch. Borba de Moraes II, p.189. The scarce first issue with the original title and privilege leaf noting that the book should have been called "Memoires pour servir à l'histoire des Indes Orientales".
Sold for £420