[Imaginary voyages. Fine provenance] (Denis Vairasse d'Allais). Histoire des Sevarambes,

peuple qui habitent une partie du troisième continent communément appellé la Terre Australe. Contenant une relation du gouvernement, des moeurs, de la religion, & du langage de cette nation, inconnuë jusqu'à present aux peuples de l'Europe. Amsterdam, Aux dépens d'Estienne Roger, 1702, 2 vols., 333; 303,(25 bookseller's cat.) pp., each with the same engr. frontisp., contemp. unif. panelled sheepskin, both covers with gilt coat-of-arms with initials "N.A.v.D." of Von Diesbach of Bern (probably Nikolaus Albrecht, 1698-1738), corner fleurons, gilt and ribbed spines w. mor letterpieces, 12mo.

Both vols. sl. foxed and w. some annotations at the beginning and end. Both vols. with sm. defects to the binding, the coat-of-arms of the second volume w. sm. later inlaid piece of leather. Nevertheless a desirable copy, also with the heraldic bookplate of British prime minister Archibald Philip Primrose, earl of Rosebery (1847-1929). On the work: The first edition was published in English, in 1675. The present French edition is much enlarged, with more details on the people and customs of this imaginary country. The work is variously seen as describing a kingdom that is free from human vices, but also of a society based on slavery and as an early example of a concern for welfare of the working classes. The extensive bookseller's catalogue at the end of the second volume is of particular interest, for it contains 22 pages of "Livres de Musique" published by Estienne Roger (the other pages list other books published by him).