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The Library of Ernest E. Keet Sold on behalf of the Cloudsplitter Foundation
Moeurs des Sauvages Amériquains, comparées aux Moeurs des Premiers Temps
Joseph François Lafitau, 1724
Details
Moeurs des Sauvages Amériquains, comparées aux Moeurs des Premiers Temps
Joseph François Lafitau, 1724
LAFITAU, Joseph François (1681-1746). Moeurs des Sauvages Amériquains, comparées aux Moeurs des Premiers Temps. Paris: Saugrain l'Aîné and Charles Estienne Hocherau, 1724.
First edition of "an extraordinary summation of seventeenth-century knowledge of the life and society of the American Indian" (Streeter). Lafitau was a Jesuit missionary to the Iroquois from 1712-1718, and the first European to describe many aspects of their culture, as well as that of other groups of Native people in the region. This treatise is particularly notable for its comparative discussions of Asian religions and antiquity. Lafitau believed in the psychic unity of all humans and his syncretic anthropological approach sought to bolster his theories. Some of the plates, exhaustively illustrating Iroquois life, are based on those of De Bry. A 12mo edition in three volumes appeared later the same year. Sabin 38596; Howes L-22; Streeter sale 121; European Americana 724⁄97; Borba de Moraes, p.453.
Two volumes, quarto (241 x 185mm). Engraved frontispiece and headpiece, 42 engraved plates including map of the Americas (occasional toning, some small neat marginal repairs, a few dampmarks including probable erasure on both titles). Contemporary stiff vellum gilt, gilt-stamped morocco title labels on spines (a little worming). Provenance: contemporary signature on titles.
Joseph François Lafitau, 1724
LAFITAU, Joseph François (1681-1746). Moeurs des Sauvages Amériquains, comparées aux Moeurs des Premiers Temps. Paris: Saugrain l'Aîné and Charles Estienne Hocherau, 1724.
First edition of "an extraordinary summation of seventeenth-century knowledge of the life and society of the American Indian" (Streeter). Lafitau was a Jesuit missionary to the Iroquois from 1712-1718, and the first European to describe many aspects of their culture, as well as that of other groups of Native people in the region. This treatise is particularly notable for its comparative discussions of Asian religions and antiquity. Lafitau believed in the psychic unity of all humans and his syncretic anthropological approach sought to bolster his theories. Some of the plates, exhaustively illustrating Iroquois life, are based on those of De Bry. A 12mo edition in three volumes appeared later the same year. Sabin 38596; Howes L-22; Streeter sale 121; European Americana 724⁄97; Borba de Moraes, p.453.
Two volumes, quarto (241 x 185mm). Engraved frontispiece and headpiece, 42 engraved plates including map of the Americas (occasional toning, some small neat marginal repairs, a few dampmarks including probable erasure on both titles). Contemporary stiff vellum gilt, gilt-stamped morocco title labels on spines (a little worming). Provenance: contemporary signature on titles.
Brought to you by
Peter Klarnet
Senior Specialist, Americana