[China. Jesuit] Manuscript, with drawings of astronomical instruments and fine maps
China, 18th-19th cent. (?). 43 lvs, Chinese manuscript text, including 8 ink-and-brush drawings of astronomical instruments by Jesuit missionary F. Verbiest. With 12 double-p. colour-washed manuscript maps, 1 hand-drawn coloured plan (possibly groundplan of the observatory). Contemp. thread bound, Japanese-style binding, frontwr. w. manuscr. letterpiece on the outside, three seals on the inside. 27 x 19.8 cm.
Rare, very interesting manuscript featuring detailed hand-coloured manuscript maps, and fine black ink-and-brush drawings of astronomical instruments developed by the Belgian Jesuit missionary Ferdinand Verbiest (1623-1688) for the open-air Observatory in Beijing, China. Minor wormholes, mostly confined to the blank outer margins, text remains unaffected, wrappers only marginally affected. Despite these minor imperfections, the manuscript is in good condition. Provenance: From the estate of a Dutch diplomat stationed in China, Korea and Japan.