LINSCHOTEN, Jan Huygen (1536–1611). Histoire de la navigation […] aux Indes Orentales. – Le grand routier de mer. – Description de l’Amerique. Amsterdam: Jean Evertsz Cloppenburch, 1619.

Second edition in French of this highly influential work containing all the knowledge and learning relating to the East and West Indies at the end of the sixteenth century. Translated from Spanish and Portuguese documents on navigation and geography, it served as a direct stimulus to the building of the vast English and Dutch overseas empires. As a navigational aid, it was so highly esteemed that a copy was given to each ship sailing for the Indies. Linschoten's own first-hand knowledge came from his voyages to Goa in 1583 and to the Arctic with Willem Barents in 1594 in search of a North East Passage. It was first published with 42 maps and plates in Dutch in 1596, in Latin in 1599 and then French in 1610. Sabin 41370, 41371, 41372.

Three parts in one, folio (310 × 196mm). Six engraved maps, additional engraved plates, title-page and part titles within engraved border (maps trimmed and repaired with some holes, first two pages laid in, holes in M1, toned, occasional spotting). Contemporary gold-tooled sheep (rehinged, joints starting, scratches, rubbed). Provenance: manuscript titling on spine – few contemporary corrections.