Christoforo Borri, 1633

BORRI, Christoforo (1583-1632). Cochin-China: Containing many admirable Rarities and Singularities of the Countrey. Translated by Robert ASHLEY (1565-1641). London: printed by Robert Raworth for Richard Clutterbuck, 1633.

The first book on Vietnam in English. The present copy is an early issue of the first English edition, with the author's name misspelled "Barri" on the title-page. It follows the Italian edition of 1631. Borri was a Jesuit astronomer and missionary from Milan. He lived in present-day Hội An from the end of 1617 until 1622, where he went by the name Brono. He was one of the first missionaries to visit Vietnam. This work covers the geography, climate, customs, politics, military forces, and commerce. There is also a chapter specifically on elephants and rhinoceros. It was of great interest and there were also contemporary Dutch, French, and German editions. Backer & Sommervogel, 1821.1; STC 1504.

Quarto (171 x 129mm). Woodcut device on title and ornaments to text. (First 7 leaves with upper corner repaired, the title with several letters replaced in neat facsimile, title soiled and shaved, several headlines and catchwords shaved, without blanks.) Modern full red morocco gilt.