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DU CREUX, François (1596?-1666)
Historiae Canadensis, seu Novæ-Franciæ libri decem, ad annum usque Christi MDCLVI
Paris: Apud Sebastianum Cramoisy, et Sebast. Mabre-Cramoisy, 1664. Quarto (8 7/8 x 6 3/4 inches). [28],810,[6]pp. Engraved vignette incorporating the publisher's device on the title, 1 folding engraved map, 13 engraved plates (1 folding). (Old repairs to the folding plate, some old dampstaining). Late 18th century French red morocco, marbled endpapers, expertly rebacked to style, spine richly gilt in compartments.
A classic history of Canada: one of the most important ever published, including powerful images of 17th century Canada and the very rare map.
Du Creux, a Jesuit from Bordeaux, compiled this history from conversations with missionaries such as fathers Brebeuf, Lalemant, le Jeune, and Bressani. He also used previously published Jesuit Relations and other records. Du Creux entered the Society of Jesus in 1614. The present work was prepared by him from the various Jesuit 'Relations' (or reports from the overseas missions). A careful researcher, du Creux did much 'to clarify and supplement' (Streeter) the information in the 'Relations' using oral and manuscript reports from missionaries newly returned from the New World. The wonderful plates depict Indian families, customs and manners, beavers at work on a dam, birds, and other natural history subjects. The folding plate is a composite plate by Huret showing several Jesuit martyrdoms. The plates of Hurons are among the most important and best executed illustrations of North American Indians of the 17th century. 'The origin of the illustrations of animal and native life and of the map is unknown; the latter is not merely a reproduction from Sanson' (TPL).
The very handsome folding map of 'Nova Franca' is dated 1660 and shows most of northeastern North America, including the Great Lakes region and Hudson's Bay. Philip Burden describes some important aspects of the map: "The outline of the map largely draws upon those of Sanson's Le Canada, 1656, and Bressani's Novae Franciae, 1657. There are some important additions with the earliest depiction of a complicated river system feeding into the Hudson and James Bay. This is most probably an attempt to illustrate the various routes recounted by Father Gabriel Roulettes in the Jesuit Relations of 1657-58, published in Paris, 1659. One of these routes was that of the Corers de Bois, Raison and Grovellers, leading through Lake Nipigon and the Albany River to the Milestones for furs. Part of this intricate network introduces the name Spiritualises Fl. for the first time; it would later be associated with a number of lakes in Manitoba...The east coast colonies are identified, including the by now defeated Swedish ones. Many new tribes are recognised, particularly in the north."
Arents 288; Bell Jesuit Relations p.249; cf. Burden 349 (map only); European Americana 664/64; Lande 199; Harrisse 120; JCB III:109; Sabin 21072; Streeter Sale 96; TPL 54.
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#17673 $35,000.00 
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© 2002-2005 Donald A. Heald
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