Esquisse de L'État Politique et Commercial de la Syrie (Outline of the Political and Commercial State of Syria)
Paris: Chez France, Librarie, 1862. First edition. Hardcover. Octavo. 311 [1]pp., 8 folding plates. Original pebbled green cloth with decorative blind-stamped ruling on covers, gilt lettering on spine. Yellow endpapers. Composed by M. Henri Guys, French Consul first class, retired, officer of the Legion of Honor.
Report on the political and commercial state of Syria without touching on religious aspects of the country or its cultural and artistic past. Published after the 1860-61 Christian Druze-War, a civil conflict between the Druze, an Arab esoteric religious group (al-Muwaḥḥidūn) and the Christian population. At the time Syria was part of the Ottoman Empire. The report contains several charts, including eight folding plates at rear, providing statistics on population and commerce dated 1846 and 1852-54.
Text in French. Light wear along edges of binding and rubbed. Illustrated Ex-Libris on inside front cover. Library stamp on half-title and previous owner's name, "Prof. M. Gleason" inked to top of title page. Library number stamped to verso of title page. Block lightly age-toned. Good- to very good condition. Item #54993
Price: $450.00