CATALOGUE DE LIVRES RARES FINE BOOKS - Camille Sourget

Aucun exemplaire de l’édition originale n’est répertorié dans ABPC. Un seul exemplaire de cette
édition est passé sur le marché public international ces trente dernières années : il s’agit de
l’exemplaire Lionel Robinson vendu par Sotheby’s Londres le 26 juin 1986 à Lake. Ce même
exemplaire est repassé en vente chez Sotheby’s New York lors de la vente Frank T. Siebert du 21 mai
1999 où il fut alors vendu $ 16 000 (soit environ € 15 000). Il était décrit dans le catalogue de la vente
comme étant restauré et en reliure postérieure (« bottom margin on title-page expertly extended, later
stiff vellum »).
Second enlarged edition of this rare Jesuit relation describing the massacre of the Hurons by the Iroquois.
« The ‘Relation’ furnishes an interesting account of the state of the mission in the years 1648, and 1649, and
gives a thrilling sketch of the horrors attending the destruction of the christian villages of St. Joseph and of
St. Ingnatius, by incursions of the Iroquois, the most deadly enemies of the Hurons, and of the christian
name”. (The Catholic Cabinet, p. 22).
The present edition is of the utmost interest as it comprises a passage of 13 pages printed at the end of the
volume that appears here for the first time. It contains interesting new information about the missions to
Canada.
A fresh and crisp copy of this sought after relation, preserved in its contemporary vellum.
Only one copy of this edition has appeared at auction since 1975: the Lionel Robinson’s copy, sold by
Sotheby’s London on the 26 th of June 1986 to Lake. That same copy was sold again by Sotheby’s NY at the
Frank T. Siebert sale on the 21 st of May 1999 for $ 16 000 (about 15 000). It was described in those terms
in the auction catalogue: “bottom margin on title-page expertly extended, later stiff vellum”.