[MERCURE FRANCOIS]

A uniform, remarkably well-preserved set comprising the first 24 vols of the ‘Mercure françois’ – the earliest printed (and illustrated) newspaper in France. ‘This work is an annual register of occurrences, and gives the first published account of the voyages of Champlain, and of the establishment of the Jesuits in Canada’ (Sabin). Very rarely found as a substantial, uniform set.  

‘First published in 1611 by […] Jean and Estienne Richer, the journal sought to prevent a return to civil war following Henri IV’s assassination by supporting the monarchy and teaching virtuous behaviour through the example of recent history. […] the journal rapidly became a pillar of monarchical propaganda, its publication following an annual to biennial rhythm until its cessation in 1648. After 1638, it was managed by Richelieu’s associate, Théophraste Renaudot […]. Each thousand-page volume reported on wide-ranging domestic and foreign affairs, typically spanning two or three years, [including] much original material. A table of contents and copious marginal notes guided readers through the dense information within’ (Paton, p.1).  

Often illustrated with engraved folding bird’s-eye views or maps of (mostly French) battlefields and fortified cities, the articles were devoted to French domestic politics, e.g., battles, treaties, diplomatic visits, and so on, as well as international relations and events (e.g., Prince Charles of England’s visit to the Infanta of Spain in 1623, battles in the Ottoman Empire and Northern Africa), religion (e.g., the Pope’s policies, events involving the Jesuits, Jews or Christian Moriscos), expeditions to the ‘East Indies’, North and South America, and even Australia, epidemics, as well as ‘monsters’ and prodigies.

The longest travel accounts concern missions and expeditions to Canada. In 1615 (V:295-304), Champlain and others travelled among the Algonquian and Attignawantan, staying also in a village called Ottawa; the article provides a description of their habits and customs, and the political situation with their neighbouring Iroquois. In 1626 (XIII:12-35) a Jesuit wrote a ‘relation’ on the Canadian Jesuit missions (mainly Quebec), with a long description of the land, inhabitants, rituals, climate, etc. Upon finding an anti-Jesuit pamphlet there, ‘Anti-Coton’ (1611), they had all copies burnt and further impressions banned. In 1622 (XVIII:56-74) the French took possession of Fort de Quebec, and the account describes the fauna, bay and river, wars between the Tadussac and Iroquois, their treatment of prisoners and use of wine, and English-French relationships in Quebec. For 1633 (XIX:771-866) a long report on New France was published, describing the customs of local communities, e.g., face-painting, cooking, marriage, religion, etc., as well as their languages, and various peregrinations of the French missionaries and their encounters with the English. For Australia, the 1617 (V:148-179) vol. describes the Maire-Schouten expedition to Brazil and Guinea, heading to the East Indies, with a summary of travels to Terra Australis, including F. de Quir’s report of his expedition there, with descriptions of the native inhabitants, flora, edibles, and landscape. In 1624 (X:231-241), there are reports of a naval battle between the Spaniards and Dutch off the coast of Peru, and the seizing of the Baye de Todos los Santos and San Salvador in Brazil, with a list of local looted churches. Vol.5 recounts ‘the first voyage to Virginia’, and the journey of John Smith, stating that some passengers were women and children. Further shorter accounts (e.g., 1-2 pages) touching on exploration and travel are scattered throughout several vols. 

A desirable, uniform set of this important work for C17 French historiography.