Peter Bichsel   Fine Books

Wheler, George. Voyage de Dalmatie, de Grece et du Levant. 2 vols in 1.

With engr. title, folding map, folding table and 56 engr. plates (vol I); with 32 engr. plates and 3 folding tables (vol II). Title, 6 unn. leaves, 301 pp.; Title, pp. 307–607, 4 unn. leaves index. 12mo. Contemp. calf with blind-stamped spine title. – Amsterdam, Jean Wolters, 1689.

First French edition. Extensive and richly illlustrated account of the famous journey by George Wheler (1651–1724) and Jacob Spon (1647–1685) from Venice via Constantinople and Anatolia to Athens and Attica between 1675 and 1676. Wheler wrote his account in reaction to Spon’s „Voyage d’Italie, de Dalmatie, de Grèce et du Levant (…)“, which was published in 1678 and mentioned Wheler as co-author. Wheler published his version in London in 1682, before Spon’s text was translated into English. In the true first edition, Wheler mentioned Spon on the title page as well, which is no longer true for the present copy of the first French edition. Wheler's description of the journey remained the authoritative book on travel in these regions for over a hundred years. – Weber II, p. 406; Blackmer 1787; Graesse II, 440. – Binding rubbed, top end of spine chipped. Front inner hinge cracked. Ms. ownership entry on title page. Small part of title page cut away (no text loss). Map with small tear. Clean and valuable copy in all. – Best.-Nr. 27201