This is the first book of Bossuet's popular treatise on the history of the world. At the back of the volume are six maps (approximately 6.5 x 5") modeled on Nicolas Sanson's cartography including: ancient world (2), double-hemisphere world, Asia, Africa, and America (western hemisphere). In the world map, California is shown as an island with the Jesso landmass stretching nearly to Japan. Interestingly, this landmass is not included on the Americas map, but it is very prevalent on the Asian map. The cartography in Africa reflects the Ptolemaic source of the Nile in the twin lakes south of the equator, but the political divisions are well represented. Australia is still missing its east coast, but the Dutch discoveries are shown in Tasmania and New Zealand. At the South Pole there are still remnants of Terre Magellanique Australe et Incogneue. 499 pages of French text with a lovely allegorical frontispiece. This example is the thirteenth edition published in Amsterdam. 12mo., hardbound in full contemporary leather with gilt title label, gilt tooling, and raised bands on spine.

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Condition: A

Maps are in near fine condition with crisp, dark impressions. Contents are tight with only occasional light toning or minor foxing. Binding has light shelf wear with bumped edges.