La Fiteau's De Zeden der Wilden van Amerika - Volume with 1 Map & 41 Enravings

La Fiteau's De Zeden der Wilden van Amerika - Volume with 1 Map & 41 Enravings
This historic volume is Joseph-Francois La Fiteau's De Zeden der Wilden van Amerika. Zynde een nieuwe uitvoerige en zeer kurieuse Beschryving van derzelver Oorsprong, Godsdienst, manier van Oorlogen, Huwelyken, Opvoeding, Oeffeningen, Feesten, Danzeryen, Begravenissen, en andere zeldzame gewoonten. The title translated to English is The Customs of the American Savages. This is the first Dutch edition of the work which was published by Gerard van der Poel in The Hague in 1731. "This is one of the most beautiful editions of Lafitau's works." (Lande S1194)

This was an important work on Native Americans. Field describes it as "a grand cyclopaedia of Indian history, and the customs at that date." (Field 851) The work "gives very extended and very exact details of the customs, manners, and religion of the Savages of North America, though principally of the Indians of Canada." (Sabin 38598) The work is two parts bound to one volume. It has an engraved frontispiece, two title vignettes, one map, and 41 engravings. It is bound in modern antique style blindstamped calf with red Morocco letterpiece.

Joseph-Francois La Fiteau (1681-1746) was a French Jesuit missionary. He worked with the Indigenous tribes of Canada, predominantly with the Iroquois, in the early 1700s. His work detailed the customs, religious beliefs, and social construct of northern tribes. His purpose for the work was to prove ancestry to the Tartars (Eastern European and Asian descent).


Paper Size: ~ 7 1/4" by 12"

The work is in very good to excellent condition. There is some slight worn or rubbed spots to the binding. There may be a few minor imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
~ 7 1/4" by 12"