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NICOLAY, Nicolas de, seigneur d'Arfeville (1517-1583)
Les Quatre Premiers Livres des Navigations et Peregrinations Orientales. Lyon: Guillaume Rouillé, 1568.
First edition, second issue, with the engravings finely coloured, of a highly influential work, especially notable as ‘the first to represent the costume of the Near East in detail’ (Mortimer). Various nationalities and ethnicities are depicted, including Turks, Greeks, Armenians, Jews, and pilgrims to Mecca. Nicolay was the French royal geographer sent to Constantinople to join D'Aramon's embassy in 1551, and his observations provided a glimpse into a world still little known in the West. The first issue has a title-page date 1567; the two issues are otherwise identical. Atabey 870 (imperfect); Baudrier IX, p.318; Bobins V, 1507; cf. Colas 2200 (1567 edition); Göllner 1241; Mortimer/Harvard French 386.
Folio (338 x 231mm). Cancel slip on verso of *3, incorrect plate descriptions painted over on r3v and x2r, contemporary ms. foliation on plates, with blank **4 and without final blank. Letterpress title within elaborate woodcut border, woodcut headpiece and initial to dedication, and 60 engraved plates attributed to Louis Danet, all with fine contemporary colouring (title discreetly repaired at lower margin and gutter, one plate with small paint burn-hole, light browning, occasional small stain or mottling). Contemporary calf, gilt border and central arabesque medallion, single vase tool in compartments, gilt edges (minor staining, scuffing and repairs at extremities).
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