STRUYS, Jan Janszoon. The Voiages and Travels of John Struys through Italy, Greece, Muscovy, Tartary, Media, Persia, East-India, Japan, and other Countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia: Containing Remarks and Observations Upon the Manners, Religion, Polities, Customs and Laws of the Inhabitants; and a Description of Their Several Cities, Towns, Forts, and Places of Strength: Together with an Account of the Authors Many Dangers by Shipwreck, Robbery, Slavery, Hunger, Torture, and the Like. And Two Narratives of the Taking of Astracan by the Cossacks, Sent from Captain D. Butler. Illustrated with Copper Plates, Designed and Taken from the Life by the Author Himself. Done Out of Dutch, by Johh [sic] Morrison. London, Printed for Abel Swalle, and are to be sold at the Unicorn at the west-end of S. Paul’s, and Sam. Crowch at the Flower de-luce in Popes-Head Ally in Cornhil, 1684.
4to. Contemporary sprinkled panelled calf, spine with raised bands, compartments ornamented in gilt and with red morocco lettering-piece; pp. [vi], 378, [26], additional engraved title, folding engraved map of the Caspian Sea, and 19 folding engraved plates; hinges a little worn, but cords holding firm; occasional light spotting; a very good copy with the illustrations in very good impressions; slightly later engraved armorial bookplate of John Brownlow, 1st Viscount Tyrconnel, Belton House bookplate on opposite fly-leaf, contemporary ownership inscription John Hall above it.
Very rare first edition in English, one of two issues published in 1684 (priority not established). Struys traveled for the Dutch East India Company as far as Formosa, China, and Japan on a first long journey in 1647-55; then to the Mediterranean Sea in 1655-57 (views of Greek islands); and finally into Russia, Persia and Arabia during his third voyage which lasted from September 1668 to late 1673 (a view of Muscat). Struys was the first Westerner to describe the revolt of Stenka Razin, a Cossack chief, against the Tsar, and his detailed observations on Russia and Tartary are among the most important before Peter the Great.
#2119823