Description et recit historial du riche Royaume d'or de Gunea, aultrement nommé, la coste de l'or de Mina. Amsterdam: C. Claesson, 1605.

"Description et recit historial du riche Royaume d'or de Gunea, aultrement nommé, la coste de l'or de Mina."

-Pieter de Marees

-Published in Amsterdam by Cornelis Claesz "C. Claesson"

-1605

-Complete work: TP, 1-99, [4] -21 engravings in text

-Condition: some faint marginal stains, light browning, most plates have slight trimming at the fore-edge, small rust hole in E3 affecting a few letters

-Modern limp vellum.

Very Rare first French edition of this highly important description of the Gold Coast of West Africa. This account was first published in Dutch in 1602. It contains an account of Guinea illustrated with finely engraved plates. It includes a dictionary of French words and phrases converted from the local language. Topics include rituals and ceremonies, warfare, transportation, plant and animal life, dress, ornamentation, and dance.

USTC 1012454 (1 copy only in the Americas - NYPL)