9 - [HISTORY - UKRAINE] - Jean-Benoît SCHERER

[HISTORY - UKRAINE] - Jean-Benoît SCHERER "Annals of Little Russia, or History of the Zaporozhian Cossacks and the Cossacks of Ukraine, from Their Origins to the Present Day, Followed by a History of the Princes of Russia, and Supporting Documents" Paris, Cuchet, 1788, 2 volumes in 1 book. In-8°. Contemporary half-basane with small corners. Spine with 5 raised bands, heavily rubbed with a loss. Title label in black morocco. Covers lined with paper. Top cap worn down, corners blunt, cracks starting at the joints. Modest and damaged but sturdy binding. Interior fresh. First edition of this seminal work, which constitutes the very first complete and independent history of Ukraine and its peoples published in French. Written by Jean-Benoît Scherer, an Alsatian historian and former employee of the imperial administration in Russia, this scholarly work draws directly on handwritten Slavic chronicles and unpublished archival documents. The two volumes detail the political organization, military customs, and revolts of the Zaporozhian Cossacks against the Polish and Russian powers, while also presenting important supporting documents translated for the first time. This reference work played a pioneering role in raising European awareness of Ukrainian identity and history on the eve of the French Revolution. Provenance: from the library of Philippe de Volkaersbeke (ex-libris) References: Barbier, I, 187; Chadenat, 2038; Sabin, 77609