Paris, chez Gabon, 1805.
3 parts in 3 volumes 8vo [200 x 123 mm]: I/ (3) ff., vii pp. for the preface, 542, 1 plate, 1 folding map and 1 folding table; II/ (2) ff., 287 pp., xv pp., 1 plate and 1 folding plate, III/ (2) ff., xxi pp., 344, 1 folding plate.
Bound in contemporary full calf in a design resembling tree roots, flat spines decorated with gilt urns and suns, red and green morocco lettering pieces, marbled edges.
First edition of this pioneering book about Greece.
The French Librarian of Literary guide, p. 417; Bibliothèque de M. le Baron Silvestre de Sacy 4546; Atabey 988; Blackmer 1344; Weber, I, 5.
Pouqueville (1770-1838) was given the permission to take part in Bonaparte’s expedition to Egypt in 1798, as a member of the committee of sciences and arts. On his return to France, he was captured by pirates and delivered to the pasha of Tripoli, a vassal of the sultan that France was fighting. Pouqueville became a prisoner of war. The pasha of Tripoli sent him to Constantinople, where the sultan kept him shut up in the Castle with Seven Towers during 2 years.
Released in 1801, Pouqueville went back to France and published his Voyage en Morée.
His book gives very interesting ethnographic information.
« The first and probably the best of all Pouqueville’s books on Greece… the work contains a great deal of information on popular customs, superstitions, songs etc. » (Blackmer).
“We had not, as yet, a work that gave a just idea of the peninsula, so celebrated in antiquity, as the Peloponesus, and which is now one of the most important possessions of the Turks in Greece. The ‘Voyage’ of M. Pouqueville now supplies this want, and furnishes all the knowledge that could be desired respecting this peninsula”.
The illustration consists of a folding table and 5 engraved plates including 3 folding.
A fine copy preserved in its contemporary uniform bindings in calf with decorated flat spines.
Atabey’s copy, also bound in contemporary calf, was sold for £ 8 300 by Sotheby’s on the 29th of May 2002 (lot 963) (that is to say 13 000 euros).
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