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The Library of Ernest E. Keet Sold on behalf of the Cloudsplitter Foundation
Nouvelle relation de La Gaspesie
Chréstien le Clercq, 1691
Details
Nouvelle relation de La Gaspesie
Chréstien le Clercq, 1691
LE CLERCQ, Chréstien (fl. 1641-1695). Nouvelle relation de La Gaspesie, qui contient les moeurs & la religion des sauvages Gaspesiens Porte-Croix, adorateurs du soleil, & d'autres peuples de L'amerique Septentrionale, dite Le Canada. Paris: Amable Auroy, 1691.
First edition of the first detailed account of the Gaspé peninsula, including a description of the Mi'kmaq and their hieroglyphic writing system. Le Clercq, a Recollet whose religious order first traveled to New France with Samuel Champlain, worked as a missionary in Mi'kmaq territory, rich in fish and furs, which had become a major target for resource extraction by Europeans. Becoming especially close to the Indigenous people of the Gaspé peninsula during his twelve years among them, Le Clercq learned their language and their writing system, komqwejwi'kasikl—one of the oldest American writing systems north of Mexico—which he used to write prayers. This history is a valuable source of information about the Mi'kmaq before the larger incursion of Europeans into the region. "Father Chréstien Le Clercq ranks among the great historiographers of New France, and as such he merits our profound admiration” (Dictionary of Canadian Biography). John Locke owned a copy of this book, which possibly influenced his Essay Concerning Human Understanding and thoughts on the relationship between religion and language. Harrisse, Nouvelle France 170; Streeter sale 3633; Sabin 39649; Bell L-133; Church 717.
12mo (160 x 90mm). (Small portion of blank margin on final leaf renewed; light toning.) Modern mottled calf by Macdonald, red edges.
Chréstien le Clercq, 1691
LE CLERCQ, Chréstien (fl. 1641-1695). Nouvelle relation de La Gaspesie, qui contient les moeurs & la religion des sauvages Gaspesiens Porte-Croix, adorateurs du soleil, & d'autres peuples de L'amerique Septentrionale, dite Le Canada. Paris: Amable Auroy, 1691.
First edition of the first detailed account of the Gaspé peninsula, including a description of the Mi'kmaq and their hieroglyphic writing system. Le Clercq, a Recollet whose religious order first traveled to New France with Samuel Champlain, worked as a missionary in Mi'kmaq territory, rich in fish and furs, which had become a major target for resource extraction by Europeans. Becoming especially close to the Indigenous people of the Gaspé peninsula during his twelve years among them, Le Clercq learned their language and their writing system, komqwejwi'kasikl—one of the oldest American writing systems north of Mexico—which he used to write prayers. This history is a valuable source of information about the Mi'kmaq before the larger incursion of Europeans into the region. "Father Chréstien Le Clercq ranks among the great historiographers of New France, and as such he merits our profound admiration” (Dictionary of Canadian Biography). John Locke owned a copy of this book, which possibly influenced his Essay Concerning Human Understanding and thoughts on the relationship between religion and language. Harrisse, Nouvelle France 170; Streeter sale 3633; Sabin 39649; Bell L-133; Church 717.
12mo (160 x 90mm). (Small portion of blank margin on final leaf renewed; light toning.) Modern mottled calf by Macdonald, red edges.
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Peter Klarnet
Senior Specialist, Americana