Third edition in French (second collected edition), 3 parts in one, folio (356 x 228mm.), printed title in red and black, engraved general title ("Histoire de Malthe"), 3 engraved sectional titles, 6 folding maps and plans, engraved illustrations, portraits and plans in text, contemporary calf, ownership inscriptions in ink on title, occasional very slight worming (eg. gatherings [first] AA-CC, [second] F), tear in one plate (of Valetta) without loss, binding rather stained and rubbed, old rebacking

Ioannou, Cyprus and the Levant, p.46 (under Boissat, see footnote above); not in Atabey or Blackmer

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"The first French edition was published in Lyon in 1612, translated by Pierre Boissat the elder from Giacomo Bosio's Dell'istoria della sacra religione et militia di San Giovanni Gierosolimitano. Boissat died before the appearance of the second edition, which was probably edited by his son Pierre de Boissat the younger under the name of Jean Baudoin. The 1643 edition was much enlarged, and only the first part contains the translation of Bossio's work. Part 2 consists of Les statuts de l'Ordre de Sainct Iean de Hierusalem, by Jean Baudouin, and part 3 consists of Sommaire des privileges octroyez à l'ordre de S. Iean, by Frère Anne de Naberat. For this reason all or any of these persons (Bosio, Boissat, Baudoin, Naberat) figure variously as the author of this work" (Ioannou). The work contains much about Malta, Rhodes, Cyprus and the countries of the eastern Mediterranean.