Details
LAET, JOHANNES DE. L'Histoire du Nouveau Monde ou Description des Indes Occidentales. Leiden: Elzevir, 1640. Folio, 356 x 225 mm., modern blindstamped calf in 17th-century Mexican style; lacks the 2-page dedication to Richelieu (called for in some copies), slight staining to title-page, occasional very minor marginal dampstaining. First Edition in French. 14 double-page engraved maps. Alden 640/111; Borba de Moraes p. 451; Johnston Cleveland 196; Sabin 38558; Williams 497.
"After the publication of his work in 1625, Laet kept subsequent editions current by recording events as they occurred. Thus the most complete edition is this French translation of 1640... The maps published in this edition are the most accurate published up to that date. Several of these, such as the maps of North America, New England, and New Holland, were copied and reproduced by many contemporary authors. This edition of 1640 was used as an "atlas" during the entire second part of the seventeenth century." (Borba de Moraes).
Provenence: David Smyth of Methuen, bookplate on verso of title-page; Kenneth K. Mackenzie, Horticultural Society of New York, bookplate.
"After the publication of his work in 1625, Laet kept subsequent editions current by recording events as they occurred. Thus the most complete edition is this French translation of 1640... The maps published in this edition are the most accurate published up to that date. Several of these, such as the maps of North America, New England, and New Holland, were copied and reproduced by many contemporary authors. This edition of 1640 was used as an "atlas" during the entire second part of the seventeenth century." (Borba de Moraes).
Provenence: David Smyth of Methuen, bookplate on verso of title-page; Kenneth K. Mackenzie, Horticultural Society of New York, bookplate.
Provenance
David Smyth of Methuen, bookplate on verso of title-page; Kenneth K. Mackenzie, Horticultural Society of N.Y., bookplate.