1691 Rare French First Edition - Treatise on the Location of the Biblical Garden of Eden. Traitté de la Situation du Paradis Terrestre.

(Description)

Author : Pierre Daniel Huet.
Title : Traitté de la Situation du Paradis Terrestre. A Messieurs de l'Académie Françoise.
Publisher : A Paris, Chez Jean Anisson, Directeur de l'Imprimerie Royale, Rue Saint Jacques, à la Fleur de Lis de Florence, 1691. First Edition.
Language: Text in French.
Size: 6.5" X 4".
Pages: 240 pages + Table of Content.
Binding : Very good contemporary full-calf leather binding with gilt floral motifs on the spine, raised bands, and the title Sit[uation] du Parad[is] Terrestre in gilt (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed and worn - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover.
Content : Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing and marginal toning - as shown, includes two ex-libris, The first is from "De la Bibliothèque de Mr. de la Place de Mont-Evray," affixed to the front pastedown, The second is a handwritten notation on the title page, with "Ex Libris" marked,  There is also a handwritten date of 1807 on the first endpaper - as shown).
Illustrations: The book includes an engraved frontispiece depicting a geographical map of Mesopotamia, associated with the Garden of Eden, and a fold-out map titled "Carte de la Situation du Paradis Terrestre," including the mythic Chavilah/Havilah (In Genesis 2:10–11, Havilah is associated with the Garden of Eden).

Estimate: (USD 1000 - USD 1600)

The book: This First Edition of Traitté de la Situation du Paradis Terrestre is a fascinating work that captures the spirit of intellectual curiosity and theological exploration characteristic of the 17th century. In this treatise, Pierre Daniel Huet brings together geography, theology, and history to address one of humanity's oldest questions: where is the Garden of Eden? In a period where religion and science often intertwined, Huet draws on biblical texts, early Church Fathers, and historical accounts to speculate on the precise location of this mythical place. The fold-out map of Mesopotamia, with its rivers and valleys, offers readers a glimpse into the scholarly debates of the time.

This book is not only a reflection of the religious and scientific discourse of its age but also an intriguing artifact for modern readers and collectors of religious, philosophical, or historical texts. As one of the prominent members of the French Academy and a scholar of great influence, Huet's work remains a testament to the enduring human desire to understand the divine and its intersection with the physical world. Collectors of early theological works or anyone fascinated by the intersection of faith, myth, and geography will find this book to be a rare and thought-provoking addition to their library.

The author: Pierre Daniel Huet (1630–1721) was a French scholar, philosopher, and bishop, widely known for his erudition. He was one of the founding members of the French Academy and a prominent figure in literary and religious circles during the reign of Louis XIV. His works, including this treatise, reflect his profound interest in the intersection of theology, philosophy, and history.