Memoirs and Observations Topographical, Physical, Mathematical, Mechanical, Natural, Civil and Ecclesiastical. Made in a Late Journey Through the Empire of China. And Published in Several Letters
London: Printed for Benjamin Tooke, 1698. Second English edition. Hardcover. Octavo. (20) 517 (10)pp., 5 plates, incl. frontispiece and 3 of them folding, 1 folding map. Bound in three-quarter reddish brown leather over marbled boards with gilt lettering and blind-stamped tooling on spine; raised bands. Marbled endpapers.
"The best account of China previous to Dunhalde's work, though in many particulars extremely partial to the Chinese" (Lowndes p. 1330) highlighting Chinese pottery and varnishing, silk and other manufactures, pearl fishing, the history of plants and animals, with descriptions of their cities and public works, the number of people, their language, manners and commerce, their habits, economy and government, the philosophy of Confucius, the state of Christianity and other curious and useful topics.
Illustrated with four plates of engravings depicting the Chinese Emperor, his throne, the observatory of Peking, and Outom-Chu tree and an in-text engraving of the Isle of Sanciam. Contains a hand-colored folding map of China and a folding plate of Chinese words. Contains ten page index at rear.
With an inscription by Robert Lee DD, the first Professor of Biblical Criticism at the University of Edinburgh and Dean of the Chapel Royal serving Queen Victoria: "Robert Lee DD, Edinb. 1852, I read this book with much distraction & pleasure about the year 1829 or 30 - it is a very complete and rich account of the celestial empire."
Binding with light wear along edges, light scuffing, incl. joint of lightly sunned spine. Front hinge repaired, with interior gutter reinforced with Japan tissue. Small sticker of Eggeling Bindery on inside front cover. Title page browned, in part from offsetting of frontispiece. Small closed tears and light creasing of folding plates. Block browned in some parts, light sporadic foxing and page 481 with very light staining. Numerals of pages 313 through 320 printed out of sequence though the text is consecutive. Binding and interior in overall in very good condition. Binding protected with modern mylar. vg. Item #46161
Price: $950.00