FÜRER VON HAIMENDORF Christoph Itinerarium Aegypti, Arabiae, Palestinae, Syriae…

Blackmer 640; Röhricht, Bibl. Palestinae, 741; Tobler, p.79.

First edition, first issue, with the title page dated 1620 of this rare travel book describing the Middle East.

This posthumous work was translated into Latin from Fürer’s diary by George Richter. The original German edition was not published until 1646. Christoph Fürer undertook a long journey between 1563 and 1566, which took him first to Italy, then to the Ionian Islands, Egypt and Palestine, but there are also details of Corfu, Zakynthos, Crete and Cyprus. It is here that we find the first description of the tomb of Andreas Vesalius on the island of Zakynthos, where the great anatomist died in 1564.

The illustrations include the author’s portrait as well as his coat of arms, and views of Mount Sinaï and the monastery Ste. Catherine, a birds-eye view of Jerusalem, and two views of the Holy Grave (exterior and interior). Blackmer indicates that the copy held by the British Library is extra illustrated with a view of Mount Calvarius but which is not part of this edition. 

“Fürer von Haimendorf was one of the most well-known travellers of the 17th century. In his book, he describes his experiences from his tour in the Middle East which he visited between the years 1565 and 1566. The book is a great source of information as far as the national, religious and social status of the Middle East at that time is concerned” (P. Tzoumerkas. Arabic Heritage via rare editions found in the patriarchal library of the Greek orthodox patriarchate of Alexandria and all Africa).

Binding slightly rubbed.