SCHLEISSING Georg Adam La Religion ancienne et moderne des Moscovites.

Baudrier, IV, 239; not in Adelung.

First edition of this French translation by Georg Adam Schleissing.

The book was first published in Latin under the title Universa religio ruthenica sive moscovitica by Michael von Oppenbusch to which the translator supposedly added more material. Baudrier attributes this work to Georg Adam Schleusing, author of a variety of books on Russia (Neuentdecktes Sibyrien, and Derer beyden Czaaren in Reussland…), pulished between 1688 and 1694. OCLC also attributes authorship to Jean Louis de Lorme, Benard Picart and Gottlieb Hosmann.

This charming book is illustrated with 7 plates, finely engraved in copper (including one folding) by the famous artists Bernard Picart who also illustrated the famous series of Cérémonies et coutumes religieuses published between 1723 et 1743. The plates depict various Saint including Wolodimir and Saint Héléna, as well as rites and ceremonies celebtaed by the Patriarc; the folding plate shows the pagan idols Pioruni, Mocossi, Chorsi, and Stribi.

Well represented in Western European institutional libraries (Germany 9; France 7; Netherlands 2; and 1 copy in Danemark, Great Britain, and Switzerland) OCLC locales only 2 copies in the United States (Yale, and Chicago). Very fine copy, well preserved.

Provenance: Cösta Nobel (ex-libris gravé au contre-plat).