Description
[JOLY (Joseph-Romain)].
The Adventures of Mathurin Bonice, First Settler of the Isle of Slavery, former Tutor to the King of Zanfara; Taken from his Memoirs.
Paris: Guillot, 1782–1783. — 4 parts in 2 in-12 volumes, 159 x 93: (2 ff.), 190 pp.; (2 ff.), 186 pp.; (2 ff.), 195 pp.; (2 ff.), 184 pp., (2 ff.). Dark brown half-chagrin, ribbed spine, gilt edges (19th-century binding).
First edition of this moral and allegorical novel by Joseph-Romain Joly (1715–1805), a Capuchin friar and member of the Accademia delle Arcate in Rome.
The narrative follows Mathurin Bonice, a fictional character who becomes the first inhabitant of the ‘Island of Slavery’, an imaginary place, and who is said to have been a minister to the King of Zanfara (a fictional African kingdom). The work draws inspiration from the travelogues and apocryphal memoirs popular in the 18th century, blending adventure, social satire and exoticism, and exploring themes such as slavery, colonisation and social mores.
The second part of the work is dated 1782. A two-part sequel, entitled *Portefeuille de Mathurin Bonice*, was published in 1787, but it is rarely included with this edition.
Spines faded, leather coverings worn, headband of the first volume damaged, corners worn. Light water stains and soiling throughout the volume.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Claude Mozis Library – Black Africa and the African diaspora
Auction location
Auction time
10/21/2026 at 2:00 PM
Lot description modified on 10/02/2026 at 4:34 PM
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