BELLEFOREST (François de). The universal History of the world, containing the whole description & situation of the four parts of the earth, the division & extent of each Region & Province of these. Ensemble l'origine & particulieres mœurs, loix, coustumes, relligion, & ceremonies de toutes les nations, & peuples par qui elles sont habitées. Paris : Gervais Mallot, 1570 - In-4, 235 x 164 : (18 ff.), 317 ff, (12 ff.). Hardback parchment, smooth spine, speckled edges (Desbordes 1653). First edition dedicated to Claude de Turaine, lady of Tournon and countess of Roussillon. The polygrapher François de Belleforest (1530-1583) was a prolific author, at one time historiographer to the king. This work, which he published in 1570 and which will be followed by several other editions, is a partial and much enlarged translation of the Omnium Gentium Mores, Leges et Ritus by Johann Boemus (14..-1520?). It is divided into four parts dealing respectively with Africa, Asia, Europe and "the new lands". This last part did not appear in the work of Boemus. It mentions New France, Canada, Florida, Cuba, Haiti, Peru, etc. Interesting copy in a 17th century binding and more precisely of December 1653, as indicated by a note on the verso of the last leaf, also giving the name of the binder : " Relié à Castres par Desbordes. 10br 1653." This kind of indication is rare at this time and valuable for the history of the book. Stains to the binding. White endpapers renewed, light spotting in the lower margin of several leaves, worm gallery affecting the text of folio 306 at the end. Title restored, to which the last leaf of the book containing the privilege has been pasted on the verso. Ppp notebook browned.