243 - TRAVEL. MAPS AND PLANS.

TRAVEL. MAPS AND PLANS. SET of 3 works in 7 volumes. -LOUBÈRE, Simon de la. On the Kingdom of Siam. Paris: Coignard, 1691. In-12. (13)-555-(4) pp. Fine, finely grained fawn sheepskin from the period, ribbed spine, title label, floral panels, gilt scrolls (binding rubbed). Volume One. Illustrated with several engraved plates, some of which are fold-out, engraved headpieces, and figures, a tableau, and a musical score, all engraved in black on copper. Rare first edition. An early work on the history of the Kingdom of Siam, “considered the best work on 17th-century Thailand ” (Wyatt). The French diplomat Simon de La Loubère (1642–1729) served as Louis XIV’s extraordinary envoy to the court of Siam; although he stayed there for only three months, he carried out significant methodological work, “likely encouraged by the Jesuit scholars who accompanied the mission.” Geography, history, political structure, laws, customs, Buddhism, language, writing, sciences, and mathematics of Siam (including a study of La Loubère’s famous magic square). A copy from the library of Count LE GONIDEC DE PENLAN, at the CHATEAU DU TERTRE in Falaise, bearing his ex libris stamp in blue ink. A 19th-century handwritten ex libris pasted onto the first endpaper. Cordier, 722. -ROUSSET de MISSY. Memoirs of the Reign of Catherine, Empress and Sovereign of All Russia. Amsterdam: Pierre Mortier, 1728. In-12, 613 pp., tables, frontispiece portrait, maps, plates, and fold-out charts. Contemporary speckled fawn calf, ribbed spine (a few leaves browned, spine slightly faded). First edition. A fine copy. -[CHRISTYN]. The Delights of the Netherlands, or a Geographical and Historical Description of the Seventeen Belgian Provinces. J. F. Bassompierre, Sr., 1769. 5 in-12 volumes. 18th-century binding. Illustrated with frontispieces, fold-out maps, and panoramic views of cities and monuments.