TOURNEFORT (Joseph de). RELATION D'UN VOYAGE DU LEVANT fait - Lot 203

TOURNEFORT (Joseph de). RELATION D'UN VOYAGE DU LEVANT fait par ordre du Roi, contenant l'histoire ancienne et moderne de plusieurs isles de l'Archipel, de Constantinople, des côtes de la Mer Noire, de l'Arménie, de la Georgie, des frontières de Perse et l'Asie mineure. Lyon, Anison, Posuel et Bruyset, 1717-27. 3 volumes in-8, brown calf, ornate spines (period binding). Relation with 153 copper-engraved plates and maps, including 6 fold-outs. From 1700 to 1702, Tournefort was in charge of a major voyage of exploration in the Levant, accompanied by his draftsman Claude Aubriet. His account, in the form of letters to the Comte de Pontchartrain, is very lively. In addition to descriptions of various memorable places and observations on the customs and trade of the different peoples encountered, it is of great botanical interest. The author collected over 1,300 rare plants, most of them unknown in France. Worn bindings with small tears. Modest condition.