SIEUR DE LA GUILLETIERE [GUILLET DE SAINT GEORGES]: LACEDEMONE ANCIENNE ET NOUVELLE OU L ON VOIT LES MOEURS ET LES COUTUMES DES GRECS MODERNES… PARIS 1676 FIRST EDITION, in 8vo, contemporary full leather, spine richly gilt, text clean and bright,edges marbled, complete:394p. and one folding view of the town of Mistras, overall in very good plus condition, a lovely copy. Guillet claimed that he received information from his brother who was captive of the Turks, but it is widely believed he compiled the book using ancient texts and contemporary reports from Jesuit missionaries and merchants.Of particular importance is the section for modern (17th century) Lacedemon under Ottoman rule. It provides details on the Greek Orthodox church, the habits of the Ottoman administration and describes the people of Mani peninsula portraying them as fierce, unconquered descendants of the ancient Spartans. The book is valued for the folding view of Mistras, a very rare accurate depiction of a Greek city of the mid 17th century. One of the first book to satisfy the Philhellenic curiosity of the French people. Very rare with the plan