De la Chine
Augmented edition of the work "the most complete, the most instructive and the best that we have on China" (Michaud).
The superb copy of Empress Marie-Louise printed on vellum paper.
7 volumes in-8. Full red morocco, gilt fillet and roll-tooled border on covers, crowned monogram at center, smooth decorated spine, decorated edges, inner roll-tooling, linings and endpapers of blue tabis, gilt edges, a few scattered spots. Armorial binding of the period.
202 x 123 mm.
Edition for the most part original of the work
“the most complete, the most instructive and the best that we have on China”
(Michaud).
The very beautiful copy of Empress Marie-Louise printed on vellum paper.
Grosier, Jean-Baptiste Gabriel Alexandre (1743-1823). Of China, or general description of this Empire, compiled according to the Memoirs of the Mission of Peking. A work which contains the topographical description of the fifteen provinces of China, that of Tartary, the islands… the table of its population… and the outline of all the knowledge acquired and received so far in Europe regarding the government, religion, laws, customs, usages, sciences, and arts of the Chinese.
Paris, 1818-1820.
For the most part original edition of this work on China byGrosier, “the most complete, the most instructive and the best that we have on China ” (Michaud).
Cordier Sinica, 61-62; Löwendahl, 813; Western Travellers in China, 61.
It is adorned with two folding maps.
Grosier sought fame in publishing a major historical work, as remarkable for the novelty as for the grandeur of the events it made known. This work was the General History of China, by Father de Mailla.
This accurate idea of the only General History of China that the West possesses will be useful to all those who wish to consult it.
“Third extended edition of this interesting and detailed work on China, based on Jesuit reports”
(Western Travellers in China).
“Grosier, in 1818 and 1820, issued a third edition (the one here presented) of this same work on China, but increased by two thirds; he included everything provided by the new works of the missionaries, both printed and manuscript. Although in France and England compilations of the same kind were made by authors versed in the Chinese language, Grosier’s remains the most complete, the most instructive and the best work we have on China. It is in seven volumes, octavo. Only praise would be due to its author if he had been able to include a summary of the travels and English, Dutch and other relations which had appeared for more than half a century on the same subject. Grosier was right to state that what is most important in these accounts was drawn from the missionaries’ memoirs and from other French works.”
Precious copy on vellum paper bound in period red morocco with the crowned cipher of Empress Marie-Louise.
Marie-Louise, Archduchess of Austria (1791-1847), was raised in hatred of France and Napoleon Ist. Sought in marriage by the latter for reasons of state, she married him by proxy on March 11, 1810. Appointed regent in 1813 and again in 1814, she received in full sovereignty the duchies of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, retaining her title of imperial majesty.
