POSSEVINO, Antonio (1534-1611). Moscouia, et, alia opera de statu huius seculi. Cologne: Officina Birckmannica for A. Mylius, 1587. 2° (316 x 201mm). Woodcut Jesuit device on title. (Tear in Cc1 affects side-note, Ff2 & Ff5 and the last quire very browned, waterstained throughout, worse at the end, trifling worming in lower margins from K3 to Kk1.) Contemporary limp vellum (defects in spine, a little stained). Provenance: Collegio Palau S.I., Padova (handmade label on title) -- Compagnia del Gesú (book label).

POSSEVINO, Antonio (1534-1611). Moscouia, et, alia opera de statu huius seculi. Cologne: Officina Birckmannica for A. Mylius, 1587. 2° (316 x 201mm). Woodcut Jesuit device on title. (Tear in Cc1 affects side-note, Ff2 & Ff5 and the last quire very browned, waterstained throughout, worse at the end, trifling worming in lower margins from K3 to Kk1.) Contemporary limp vellum (defects in spine, a little stained). Provenance: Collegio Palau S.I., Padova (handmade label on title) -- Compagnia del Gesú (book label).

One of two editions printed in 1587, the other emanating from the Plantin press. After his position as tutor to Francesco and Scipione Gonzaga, Possevino joined the Jesuits in 1559 and his first charge was to prevent the spread of protestantism in Savoy, a post that cost him dear in terms of multiple disagreements, illnesses and threats. As a 'reward' the Curia sent him to Sweden, Poland, various states in Germany and the Muscovite court of Ivan the Terrible whom, in four audiences, he tried to convert to Catholicism. Adams P-2005.