BESOLD C.: Historia Constantinopolitano Turcica. Strasburg (Argentorati) 1634. First and only edition. Small 8vo (16 × 10 cm). Two volumes bound in one: [23], 597, [1]; 599–1371 pp. Complete. Binding of reused medieval parchment with fine ornamental script, recently restored and stabilized; the red ink in the reused parchment makes for a particularly brilliant and unusual binding. Engraved title with a miniature view of Constantinople. Overall in almost fine condition with a remarkable binding. The first volume covers the whole of Byzantine history up to the fall of Constantinople; the second volume continues with later Ottoman history. Christopher Besold (1577–1638), German Protestant writer, here produced one of the earliest comprehensive accounts of the Levant and the first general Byzantine history ever published. His detailed narrative traces the evolution of the Byzantine Levant up to the 15th century, at a time when Byzantium was still little studied and serious Byzantine historiography was only just emerging. Only with the later French editions of Byzantine authors in Paris was a fuller picture possible. Besold was thus a true pioneer of Byzantine history. A precious and early account. Extremely rare on the market: it has appeared only a handful of times in the last 40 years, the Atabey copy being ex-Blackmer. References: Atabey 102; Blackmer 129.