Book Details

BOOK DETAIL

85
Mœurs des sauvages ameriquains, comparées aux mœurs des premiers temps
Published: A Paris, : Chez Saugrain l
Description: First Edition thus. Lafitau, considered by some to be the founder of scientific ethnography, was a Jesuit missionary who lived among various tribes in North America for fifteen years in the early 18th century. He is recognized for his detailed and knowledgeable anthropological descriptions of Native American life, especially that of the Iroquois tribe. Mœurs des sauvages ameriquains, comparées aux mœurs des premiers temps compares the religions and traditions of Native Americans with that of classical civilizations. The work was a great success, coming out in two editions in 1724, the present as well as a quarto format edition. Within a few decades, it was translated and printed in both Dutch and German (of which we also have a copy). The volumes contain an engraved frontispiece, a fold-out map of North America, and 41 detailed fold-out engravings depicting various habitations, rituals, dress, etc. of both North American Indian and classical civilizations.
Condition/Repair: The covers on three of the four volumes are well worn--rubbed, loose, and/or detached--and need to be rebacked. The spine of the fourth is well-rubbed and could use rebacking and a phase box. Many of the fold-out plates need paper repair to small tears.
Donation Needed: $350.00