(CALIFORNIA) Lettres Edifiantes et Curieuses de la Compag

Sale 2404 - Lot 96

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Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500

FIRST MAP TO DEMONSTRATE THAT CALIFORNIA WAS NOT AN ISLAND (CALIFORNIA.) Lettres Edifiantes et Curieuses . . . de la Compagnie de Jesus, V. Recueil. Folding map, hand-colored in outline. [32], 287, [5] pages. 12mo, contemporary calf, moderate wear; internally clean. (GM) Paris, 1705

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Additional Details

The fifth volume of a French collection of Jesuit letters, including the first translation of Francisco María Picolo's scarce 1702 pamphlet, "Informe del Estado de la Nueva Christiandad de California" (pages 248-287), making it what Wagner calls "the first printed account of California . . . to obtain any circulation." Also includes long letters on China, and on Madura Island off Java.
This volume is also noteworthy for including the first appearance of Father Kino's map depicting the northern part of Baja California and the gulf. It was the first to demonstrate that California was not an island. European Americana 705/101; Sabin 40697; Wagner Southwest 74a (calls for only 30 preliminary pages).