[Giuseppe Maria Tabaglio, Giovanni Jacopo Fatinelli]. CONSIDERAZIONI SÙ LA SCRITTURA INTITOLATA RIFLESSIONI SOPRA LA CAUSA DELLA CINA DOPÒ VENUTO IN EUROPA IL DECRETO DELL'EMO DI TOURNON. [Rome]: s.n., 1709. First edition. Vellum boards, label with gilt and raised bands on spine, all edges speckled. 4to; 124, [4]pp. Roman type; text in Italian and Latin. With printed marginalia. Variant issue with (4) page letter to King of Portugal tipped in.

7 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.

From the Collection of Professor Roberto Severino, Washington, D.C.

This title discusses the Chinese Rites Controversy (ca. 1582-1742) which involved disputes between various Catholic orders who debated whether Chinese converts to Catholicism should participate in traditional cultural rites. Specifically, it focuses on Charles-Thomas Maillard de Tournon's visit to the Chinese emperor in 1705 to issue Pope Clement XI's decree forbidding Chinese rites.

Strong binding, vellum with some staining and warping; interior with light to moderate toning, foxing, occasional ink marks and stain, E2 with small corner loss, one minor damp stain; a very good copy of this rare first edition. At time of evaluation, WorldCat records only one institution with this edition with the letter to the king.