Jacques Louis VIALLA DE SOMMIÈRES
Voyage historique et politique au Monténégro, contenant l'origine des Monténégrins, peuple autocthone ou aborigène, et très peu connu ;[Historical and Political Voyage to Montenegro, containing the origin of the Montenegrins, an indigenous or aboriginal people little known; a topographical, picturesque, and statistical description of the country; the manners of this nation, its customs, usages, and prejudices; its government, legislation, political relations, religion, and the curious and singular ceremonies of its worship; together with various accounts of courage, generosity, and ferocity commonly found among this people. Adorned with a detailed map drawn on site, and twelve hand-coloured engravings representing the costumes of the country, two of their festivals, several plants, etc.]
Alexis Eymery|Paris 1820|12.8 x 20.4 cm|2 volumes reliés
First edition of this rare work, offering the very first description in French of this small canton, still nominally under Ottoman rule—though in fact largely autonomous—and which appeared as exotic to early 19th-century Westerners as the most remote corners of China.
Illustrated with 13 hand-coloured plates, including a large folding map, two botanical plates, two depicting celebrations, three views of churches, and five costume plates. (cf. Atabey 1286. Lipperheide 1443. Not in Blackmer or Colas.)
Contemporary half calf binding, smooth spines decorated with gilt fillets, garlands, and floral tools, red morocco lettering-piece, black morocco...
€1,000