
Carpin, Johan du Plan
Reys-Beschryvingen...na ...Tartaryen and
Reys van Broeder Ascelin na de Tartaren, 1246
AND
Rubruquis, Willem de
Aanmerkelijke Reys ...Tartaryen en China in 1253
Leyden, van der Aa, 1706
Two books, three journals, in one volume
in folio, modern half black morocco paper over boards
Carpini and Ascelin: title page with engraving; 50 columns on 25 pp; last page: register. Four text engravings
One plate. AND
Rubruk: engraved title page; 2 folding maps on one sheet; 36 columns on 18 pp including 5 text engravings.
Maps are:
Kaart van Tartaryen....Carpin..., anno 1246-1247, 16x22,5cm
Kaart van Tartaryen...Rubruquis..., anno 1253. 16x22,5cm
These journals give testimony to the earlier European Embassies to the Great Khan. Johan Carpinis, a Franciscan friar, Embassy to the Mongol Kham at Quaraqorum was the very first of its kind. It was ordered by Pope Innocent IV. His report is also quoted by Ramusio and Richard Hakluyt.
Ascelin was a Dominican Friar, sent by the same Pope a few years later to dissuade the Mogol general Baichu of hostilities towards the Christians in Turkey. Rubruquius, Rubruck, Ruysbroek was a Franciscan friar from Flandres whose Embassy was for Louis XI (of France) to the Great (Mangu) Khan in Mongolia and Qaraqorum. (Howego, C49;A125 and R82).