Jean Baptiste Du Halde (1674-1743). - photo 1
Jean Baptiste Du Halde (1674-1743). - photo 2
Jean Baptiste Du Halde (1674-1743). - photo 3

Jean Baptiste Du Halde (1674-1743).

Lot 66
28.04.2021 11:00UTC +00:00
Classic
Sold
£ 12 500
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
Buyer Premiumsee on Website%
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 519357
Lot 66 | Jean Baptiste Du Halde (1674-1743).
Estimate value
£ 7 000 – 10 000
Jean Baptiste Du Halde (1674-1743).
Description Géographique, Historique, Chronologique, Politique et Physique de l'Empire de la Chine et de la Tartarie Chinoisie. Paris: P.G. Le Mercier, 1735.
First edition of an ‘encyclopedic survey of China’(Lust). It is monumental in size and scope and provided an extensive and authentic account of China for the West. Its influence was profound, further disseminated via works such as Diderot’s Encyclopedie. Du Halde covers all aspects of Chinese achievements — in literature, science, medicine art, and philosophy — and details geography, economy, government, religion, customs, natural history; it is one of the earliest European sources on Chinese porcelain. As editor of Jesuit missionary reports sent back from China, Du Halde had available first-hand information, and he was assisted by fellow Jesuit Cyr Contancin as corrector, newly returned from 32 years there. It includes the text of a traditional Chinese play, ‘The Orphan of Zhao’, translated by Prémare, on which Voltaire based his own ‘L’Orphelin de la Chine’ (1753). 43 maps and plans are based on a survey of China commissioned by the Kangzi emperor between 1708 and 1717 and drawn by d’Anville. The map in vol. IV illustrating Bering’s 1728 voyage through the eponymous straits is the first printed map of present Alaska (S.I. Schwarz and R.E. Ehrenberg, The Mapping of America, p.151). Brunet II, 870; Cordier Sinica I, 45-48 (calling for 4, not 5, plates in volume III); Lust, Western Books on China 12; Reed and Dematté, China on Paper, 2007, no. 8.

4 volumes, folio (429 x 279mm). Half-titles, title-pages printed in red and black, engraved title vignettes by M. Baquoy after A. Humblot, 4 engraved head-pieces after Humblot, 53 engraved maps of which 23 folding, 17 double-page, and 3 with contemporary outline-colouring, 11 engraved plates, of which 9 double-page, and one of printed music by Delahaye, Desbrulins, and Fonbonne after Antoine Humblot, Lucas, Le Parmentier and others, text illustrations, engraved and woodcut initials, woodcut headpieces (titles and a few other leaves lightly browned, very occasional light spotting, neat tear in folding plate in vol. IV). Contemporary mottled calf gilt, armorial on front covers, marbled endpapers, red sprinkled edges (rebacked and finely gilt to style, mottling a bit worn, bookplate removed from front pastedowns).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
Preview
14.04.2021 – 28.04.2021
Phone +44 (0)20 7839 9060
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Buyer Premium see on Website
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.