Our Notes & References

First edition of this important encyclopeadia on the flourishing trade over the Black Sea before the Russian conquest. An attractive example in full contemporary calf.

Peyssonel (1727-1790) was French consul to Crimea for more than 10 years from 1753, with a view to expand French presence and business in the region. He gathered much material during his travels, before being interrupted by the Russo-Turkish war, and published many works on the region and the relationships between Russia, Turkey and Europe.

The present book – his main work – gives lively and very detailed conclusions of his observations. “[Il] joignait à l’erudition, beaucoup d’esprit ; son style est à la fois naturel et énergique” (Biogr. univ.). A particular attention is given to the various products traded, including arms, tobacco, fish and caviar, wine, salt, slaves, etc., with comprehensive descriptions and tables covering all aspects, from their production to their price, including their packing and transport. The second volume extends his observations to the neighbouring countries of Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania (Valachia) and Moldavia among others. It also includes rich cultural and social observations on the ‘Petite Tartarie’, ie. the Ukraine, and especially on Crimea and the Tatars.

Provenance

Prof. Philip Longworth (1933-2021, historian and writer, esp. on Russian history).

Bibliography

Biographie universelle XXXIII, 558; Goldsmiths 13414; Kress B.1314.