59 - Kircher, Athanasius. *China monumentis qua sacris qua profanis*. Amsterdam, Meurs 1667. A fundamental illustrated treatise introducing Chinese culture and topography

Kircher, Athanasius. *China monumentis qua sacris qua profanis*. Amsterdam, Meurs 1667. A fundamental illustrated treatise introducing Chinese culture and topography Kircher, Athanasius. *China monumentis qua sacris qua profanis*. Amsterdam, Meurs 1667. Folio (305 x 195 mm); [14], 237, [11] pages. Copper-engraved frontispiece depicting the author, 2 double-page maps, large synoptic plate on heavy paper folded several times, 7 plates outside the text with examples of copperplate engravings, 16 intaglio plates outside the text, numerous illustrations in the text engraved on copper or wood (one detached bifolio, a few tears, sporadic small spots, browning, and scattered slight foxing.) A slightly later full-parchment binding, smooth spine with a red label bearing the title in gold, spray-cut edges. The illustrated frontispiece bears the printing details of the first Amsterdam edition by Janssonius and Weyerstraet. The work covers geography, history, language, flora and fauna, territory and population, customs, traditions, and literature. Recent research has highlighted the importance of the Chinese inscriptions and characters published by Kircher, as they constitute the first Chinese vocabulary ever printed in the West. It includes a Sanskrit grammar and vocabulary. A fundamental illustrated treatise introducing Chinese culture and topography.