209 - [Egypt]. [VANSLEB or WANSLEBEN, Johann Michael].

[Egypt]. [VANSLEB or WANSLEBEN, Johann Michael]. Relazione dello stato presente dell'Egitto... Paris, printed by A. Cramoisy, 1671. Small 12mo, dedicatory epistle, index, (11)-283-(2) pp., excerpt from the privilege, errata. Fine, finely grained fawn calfskin of the period, decorated ribbed spine, gilt title, gilt floral panels, gilt scrolls on the edges, edges speckled with red (worn corners, blunt edges, missing caps, but interior remains fresh). A rare little work. Only edition. Published in Paris directly in Italian. An authentic original account by Vansleb that predates the one published in 1677 by Estienne Michallet—which is still generally considered the first and was published in French—following his missionary journey commissioned by Colbert. This historical work by the German traveler and theologian Johann Michael Wansleben (1635–1679), known as Vansleb or sometimes Vanslebio, is the result of his firsthand observations made during his first journey to Egypt. One of the earliest accounts of Egypt, containing a detailed description of the territory, its climate, and the Nile, an analysis of the administration and power structures in Egypt at that time, an overview of local customs and, more specifically, the religious life and traditions of the Coptic Christian community. Only 2 copies in the CCFr (BnF and Arsenal) and 5 in WorldCat. Old stamp from the Diocese of Moulins on the title page. Discreet old handwritten marks on the title page. Missing from Atabey and Blackmer.