1667 – Universal History of China – Alvarez Semedo | First French Edition

Alvaro Semedo was a 17th-century Portuguese Jesuit missionary known for his mission to China. While there, he was persecuted for his attempts at conversion, imprisoned in an anti-Christian prison, and eventually shipped out of mainland China. During his temporary hiatus from China, he wrote a lengthy and thorough report of his time in China, The Universal History of China.

In it, Semedo describes Chinese society, accounts of foreign missionaries, and detailed description of the Manchu Invasion of Korea. Other topics include Chinese religious customs and Tartar wars with China, curiously focusing on the importance of Chinese cavalry in the successes of battle (Minuti, p.74).

Originally published in 1638, this work was published in numerous European languages, including this first French edition in 1667 by Prost.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Histoire universelle de la Chine
• Author(s): Alvarez Semedo
• Illustrator(s):
• Contributor(s): Martin Martini, editor and additions
• Publisher: Lyon, Hierosme Prost
• Edition: First French edition, 1667
• Binding: Full leather
• Format: (4to), single volume
• Size:  9in x 6.75in (23cm x 17cm)
• Collation: [8], 458, [6] pp
• Illustrations: Title page vignette
• Contents Include:
  • Preface by the translator
  • Observations of Chinese court life and governance
  • Missionary activity accounts
  • Manchu campaigns and Korean conflicts
  • Notes on Chinese religious practices
• Reference(s): Cordier 24; Minuti, p. 74

Condition:

Good. Bound in full leather with moderate corner wear and minor edge loss. The spine shows surface wear. Hinges are firm and the text block remains tight. Internal pages are clean with light aging and no missing leaves. The title vignette remains intact.

Why Collect This?

• First French edition of a foundational Jesuit China account
• Includes unique notes on 17th-century warfare and customs
• Among the earliest Jesuit missionary narratives translated to French

Item Number: #29740