LA BOULLAYE-LE GOUZ (François de). Les Voyages et Observations. Paris, Clousier, 1653; in-4 (220 x 162 mm), spotted calf, ribbed spine decorated with gilt fleurons (contemporary binding). FIRST EDITION. Appears to be rare in private hands. Wood-engraved portrait of the author wearing the levantine habit in which he travelled, copper-engraved portrait and 34 woodcuts. Sent by Louis XIV to the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (the builder of the Taj Mahal) La Boullaye-Le Gouz explored Persia from 1643 to 1647, describing places and customs, often in a direct style, and reporting his dialogues with the inhabitants. A VERY CURIOUS ILLUSTRATION ENGRAVED ON WOOD, extremely tasteful, in the style of a sketchbook. It consists of 34 figures in the text, most of them full-page, others juxtaposing several scenes as in a comic strip. Some show the author himself, under his Turkish name of Ibrahim Bey, sitting cross-legged in the middle of a debate, while others depict the adventures of Hindu divinities, the Pyramids, the plan of the Grand Seraglio, plants, monkeys, a tiger chasing a gazelle or characters from a romance novel. A very pleasant copy in contemporary binding, in uncommon condition (minor damage to the headpieces, small cracks at the ends of the hinges); slight damage to the frame of a few woodcuts and to one plate; light marginal spotting at the corner of 12 ff.