Paul Rycaut / Sébastien Le Clerc - History of the present state of the Ottoman Empire, first edition - 1670

FIRST ILLUSTRATED EDITION about Middle East, Ottoman Empire, army, society, economy, religion, sects and cults, customs and habits of the Turks and Muslims written by Paul Rycaut or Ricaut (1629-1700), an English diplomat, historian, translator, and authority on the Ottoman Empire. The book is richly illustrated with 26 detailed engravings that reveal the lifestyle, clothing, chivalry, traditions, art, architecture in the Middle East and masterfully created and signed by Sébastien Leclerc or Le Clerc (1637-1714) a French painter and engraver. Le Clerc worked for the royal household of Louis XIV, being appointed "graveur du Roi". This first French edition is based mainly on Rycaut's personal experiences and it was originally published in English in 1666 but most of that edition was destroyed in the Great Fire of London. Sir Paul Rycaut was a British diplomat who served as secretary to the British Ambassador in his extraordinary embassy of Charles II to Sultan Mehmed IV in Constantinople, between 1661 and 1667. Book and pages in very good condition, half leather binding, solid, with friezes and titles, a very good copy as shown in the photos. This first edition is currently selling for US$6,000.00, and is offered here at a fraction of that price. References; World Cat OCLC 1014527979; Atabey 1069; Blackmer 1464; Willems 1872; Weber II, 330; Goldsmith R 1262; Aboussouan 806; Graesse VI/1, 108; Cox I, 210; Lipperheide Lb 19 (second edition); Hiler 770 (1686 English edition).

This book describes the Ottoman government and political principals but also contains important information about the Mahometan religion, the naval and land forces of Turkey, the history of the Turkish empire from the year 1623 to the year 1670 containing the reigns of the three last emperours & viziers; Sultan Murad IV, Sultan Ibrahim, and Sultan Mehmed IV. Rycaut's text is considered one of the sources of Montesquieu's "Persian Letters", who owned a copy of it in his library. The book is richly illustrated and includes; 1 engraved title-page, 21 engravings in the text, 4 large engraved headpieces and several engraved initials. "This work is regarded as one of the best of its kind with respect to the religious and military state of Turkey" (Cox). "Provides an account of the society and political system of the Ottoman Empire with unprecedented thoroughness" (Osterhammel, Die Entzauberung Asiens, 32). "An extremely important and influential work, which provides the fullest account of Ottoman affairs during the 17th century" (Blackmer). The attractive engravings depict sultans, palaces, dignitaries, knights and persons of various ranks in their costumes, also including the illustration of a turban. "Rycaut was appointed consul in İzmir, where he resided for 11 years. His information on the Ottoman Empire was taken from several sources: original records, and from a Polish resident of some nineteen years at the Ottoman court" (Aboussouan).

TITLE : Histoire de l'etat présent de l'Empire Ottoman: contenant les maximes politiques des Turcs...(History of the present state of the Ottoman Empire: containing the political maxims of the Turks)
AUTHORS: Paul Rycaut or Ricaut (1629-1700), translated in French by Pierre Briot (circa 1625-1679), illustrations by Sébastien Leclerc or Le Clerc (1637-1714)
PUBLISHER: Sebastien Mabre-Cramoisy, in Paris
DATE: MDCLXX (1670), first edition and complete

DESCRIPTION: In 4to size, height 260 x width 195 mm (10.3 by 7.7 inches). Pages [14], 382, [2], with 1 engraved title-page, 21 engravings in the text, 4 large engraved headpieces and several engraved initials, signed by Sébastien Leclerc or Le Clerc. Restored half-leather binding, solid, with gilt decorations and titles, and in excellent condition. Pages and illustrations are intact and well-engraved, the engraved title-page is slightly trimmed on the right edge, more or less evident water stains appear only in the white margins of 22 sheets, without affecting the text or illustrations which are intact and perfectly legible. Traces only of small imperfections, otherwise, the book and pages are clean, free of stains and oxidation. COMPLETE FIRST EDITION.

AUTHOR: Sir Paul Rycaut FRS (1629-1700) was an English diplomat, historian, translator and authority on the Ottoman Empire. Rycaut was born in Aylesford, Kent, and graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1650. Rycaut was then employed as private secretary to Heneage Finch, 3rd Earl of Winchilsea, ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. Then Rycaut was later appointed consul in Smyrna (now İzmir), he filled this office for eleven years, constantly occupying himself with extending and promoting the commerce of his nation in the Near East. On his return to his homeland, from which he had been absent for nearly twenty-four years, he was appointed by Lord Clarendon in 1685, secretary of the Irish provinces of Leinster and Conaught.

ILLUSTRATOR: Sébastien Leclerc or Le Clerc (1637-1714) was a French painter and engraver, he specialized in subtle reproductive drawings, etchings, and engravings of paintings; and worked mostly in Paris, where he was counseled by the King's painter, Charles Le Brun, to devote himself entirely to engraving. Leclerc joined the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1672 and taught perspective there. He worked for Louis XIV, being made "graveur du Roi" (attached to the Cabinet du Roi), doing engraving work for the royal house. Leclerc also engaged in periodic work as a technical draftsman and military engineer. Leclerc's illustrated "Géométrie Pratique" was published in Paris in 1668. He was also a student of physics, perspective, military architecture, and during this time, he executed plans of several fortresses in the Metz area.

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