Histoire novvelle et cvrieuse des royaumes de Tvnqvin et de Lao. Contenant vne description exacte de leur Origine, Grandeur & Estenduë ; de leurs Richesses, & de leurs Forces ; des Mœurs, & du naturel de leurs Habitans ; de la fertilité de ces contrées, & des Riuieres qui les arrosent de tous costez, & de plusieurs autres circonstances vtiles & necessaires pour vne plus grande intelligence de la Géographie. Ensemble la Magnificence de la Cour des Roys de Tunquin, & des Ceremonies qu'on obserue à leurs Enterremens. Traduite de l'Italien…. 

First edition of the French translation by Father F. Le Comte (cf. Cordier, Bibl. Indosinica, 1046. Streit BM, V 1719. Sommervogel V, 583).

Contemporary full mottled brown calf, spine with five raised bands decorated with gilt garlands and double gilt panels adorned with gilt floral tools, speckled edges.

Spine expertly restored; pages 181–184 repeated; pagination jumps from 284 to 289 without loss.

The first part (pp. 1–327) contains the “Relation du Royaume de Tunquin,” and the second, the “Relation du Royaume de Lao” (pp. 329–436). The Italian Jesuit G. F. de'Marini (born in Taggia [Genoa] in 1608 – died in Macao in 1682) set sail for the Indies in 1638, preached the Gospel in Tonkin for fourteen years, and later served as rector of the college in Macao.

From 1674 onwards, he governed the Japanese mission as Provincial. His account offers a wealth of fascinating and detailed information about Tonkin and Laos in the first half of the 17th century.

Contemporary manuscript ex-libris of the Jesuit Professed House in Paris on the title page.

Very rare.