OLEARIUS, Adam (1599/1600-1671). The Voyages and Travels of the Ambassadors Sent by Frederick Duke of Holstein, to the Great Duke of Muscovy, and the King of Persia... Containing a Compleat History of Muscovy, Tartary, Persia. And other adjacent Countries... Whereto are added the Travels of John Albert de Mandelslo (a Gentleman belonging to the Embassy) from Persia, into the East-Indies... Translated from Dutch into English by John Davies. London: Thomas Dring and John Starkey, 1662.

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OLEARIUS, Adam (1599/1600-1671). The Voyages and Travels of the Ambassadors Sent by Frederick Duke of Holstein, to the Great Duke of Muscovy, and the King of Persia... Containing a Compleat History of Muscovy, Tartary, Persia. And other adjacent Countries... Whereto are added the Travels of John Albert de Mandelslo (a Gentleman belonging to the Embassy) from Persia, into the East-Indies... Translated from Dutch into English by John Davies. London: Thomas Dring and John Starkey, 1662.

2 parts in one volume, 2o (291 x 188 mm). Engraved frontispiece portraits by I. Chantry, 6 engraved maps (4 folding, 2 double-page) and 3 engraved portraits (maps with short tears and creasing, some repairs along folds, first map laid down). Contemporary calf (rebacked). Provenance: W. Musgrave (1655?-1721), probably the antiquary William Musgrave (early ink stamp on verso of title); Philadelphe Wharton, daughter of Philip, fourth Baron Wharton, a prominent associate of Cromwell (early signature); J. Carlisle (early signature).

FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH, after the first edition in Dutch published in 1647. Olearius was employed as secretary to the embassy sent by the Duke of Holstein to establish an overland trade route with Persia. A first embassy travelled to Russia in 1633-34 to secure a right of passage through the Czar's realms. The embassy to Persia itself was sent in 1635. Although a commercial failure, much valuable information was gathered by Olearius and published in this account. Cox I, p.248; Wing O-269.

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