Beschreibung:

MORISOT, Claude Barthelemy (1592-1661). Orbis maritimi sive rerum in mari et littoribus gestarum generalis historia . Dijon: Pierre Palliot, 1643. First and only edition of ‘the first naval history…, a veritable naval encyclopedia’ (Borba de Moraes). First issue, with the dedication to Louis XIII, and from the library of the noted Dijon collector, E.F. De la Cuisine, President of chamber in the cour impériale [appeals court] of Dijon, President of the Academy of Arts and Sciences there, and author of a history of parliament of Burgundy, published in 1864. The first part of the work covers ancient times, and includes an impressive folding engraving of a Roman sea-battle in a flooded amphitheatre. The second describes recent voyages of discovery, including Gerard de Veer in the Arctic, Sir Walter Raleigh in the Americas, and Magellan's southerly explorations. The numerous maps, copied from De Bry, cover all parts of the world, and the illustrations depict sailing craft of various regions. Borba de Moraes II, pp.597-8; Sabin 50723. Folio (345 x 209mm). Letterpress title-page in red and black, engraved title-page in an architectural frame with allegorical figures and a seascape with ships, folding view of a Roman naumachia , 23 maps, one full-page and 20 text engravings. (lightly browned as usual, occasional light spotting, upper corner of 4E4 repaired, effecting page number, tiny wormtrack on quire Pp.) 17th-century vellum, spine lettered later, speckled edges (discreet repairs). Provenance : E.F. De la Cuisine (1795-1874; bookplate engraved by A. Gerin, Dijon).