VILLAUT (Nicolas). An Account of the Coasts of Africa, Known as Guinea; Including a Description of the Country, the Customs and Way of Life of the Inhabitants, the Produce of the Land, and the Goods Brought from There, Along with Historical Observations on These Coasts. Paris: Denys Thierry, 1669. — In-12, 153 x 85: (3 ff.), 455 pp. Brown calfskin, decorated ribbed spine, speckled edges (contemporary binding). A rare first edition, dedicated to Minister Colbert. This is the first travel account of Guinea published in French in the 17th century. Its author, Nicolas Villaut (or Villault), Lord of Bellefond, recounts his 1666–1667 journey, providing a detailed description of the religion, manners, and customs of the inhabitants, and offers observations on natural history, including a chapter devoted to gold. To justify the French presence on the western coasts of Africa, he recalls, in the final chapter, the expeditions of sailors from Dieppe dating back to the 14th century, notably to Cape Verde, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. This copy features several old signatures on the front endpapers (Pecollet, Rousseau, etc.), accompanied by this quatrain taken from an old nursery rhyme: “If, tempted by the devil, // you steal this book, // know that every scoundrel // is unworthy of life. ” Worm damage to one edge and the lower edge, as well as part of the last block; corners are worn. Light water stain on several leaves. Small worm gallery on the first two leaves. Corner paper loss with damage to a letter on leaf G1. Provenance: Pecollet, with signature. - Rousseau, with signature. - Joseph?, with signature. - Catholic Institute of Lille, with wet stamp on the front and back endpapers and the title page.