Les Voyages du sieur Adam Olearius, an important work on his travels to Muscovy (Russia), Tartary and Persia in the 17th century. Edition by Pieter van der Aa, 1719. Olearius traveled as secretary to the Duke of Holsteins Embassy to Russia, Tartary and Persia to open up trade relations - the first German expedition to Persia. His account greatly influenced European opinion of Russia in the 17th and 18th centuries. For the first time, Oleariuss work was published in Schleswig in 1647. The second edition, revised by Olearius himself, was published in 1656, the third in 1663, the fourth, after Oleariuss death, in 1696. All these publications were supplied with drawings of localities, clothing, and scenes of domestic and social life, taken by Olearius from life. In the mid-17th century, the book was translated into French, Dutch, English and Italian. The engravings of the editions of 1647 (the first) and 1656 (the most complete and carefully published) were made under the direct supervision of the author. For the French edition of 1719, the illustrations were re-engraved with great care according to the German editions. Rare Antique Books, Home Library Specimen, Future Incunable Editions.