Itinera Constantinopolitanum et Amasianum ab Augerio Gislenio Busbequij, &c. D. ad Solimannum Turcarum Imperatorem C. M. oratore confecta. Eiusdem Busbequij de acie contra Turcam instruenda consilium.
Antverpiae [Antwerp]: Ex officina Christophori Plantini, Architypographi Regij [Plantin], MDLXXXI [1581]. First edition. In later vellum, panels with painted subtle Turkish floral patterns ruled with embossed geometric pattern and a gilt line. Raised bands on spine embossed and gilt, title lettered in black and red ink. Woodcut printer’s device on titlepage. 167, (1) p. 8º: A1–K8; L4. Modest marginal notes and underlines throughout in ink by a contemporary hand. Light water stain to upper edge throughout. Overall in fine condition.
First edition of Busbecq’s travelogue to the Ottoman Empire, known as the first of the four “Turkish Letters”.
Oghier Ghiselin de Busbecq (1522–1592) was a Flemish writer and diplomat with a wide range of scholarly interests, as a linguist, antiquarian, zoologist, and botanist. Between 1555 and 1562 he served as Ferdinand I’s ambassador to the Sublime Porte under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent.
While in Constantinople, Busbecq corresponded with a fellow Habsburg diplomat about his experiences and travels, and later his letters were published, the first letter, the present book, in 1581 by Plantin. The entirety of Busbecq’s four letters, known as the “Turkish Letters” was only appeared in print in 1589 (Legationis Turcicae epistolae quatuor; Paris: Aegidium Beys).
Busbecq’s travelogue is one of the earliest pieces of travel literature, gives an accurate description of the politics, religion, history, nature, the court lives and rulers of the visited countries and particularly the Ottoman Empire. The first letter discusses Busbecq’s travel via Vienna, Buda, Belgrade and Sophia to Constantinople, his time in the Ottoman Empire and his return journey through Belgrade, Essek (Eszék, Osijek) and Mohács.
NB 6254.; USTC 401866.; BT 5345.; Adams B-3329.; Blackmer Catalogue 248.; Goellner 1732.; Voet 851.
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Price: €8,000.00