In The Years 1783, 1784, and 1785
In Two Volumes

By Volney, Constantin François

London: Printed for G. G. J. and J. Robinson, 1787. First Edition in English. 8vo – 22.5 cm. In Two Volumes – complete. Publisher’s original light-blue paper covered boards with cream colored paper spines and original paper labels — all in unusually well preserved condition considering the age of this unique work. Volume I: [xii], 418pp. (2) blank; 2 fold-out copper engraved maps, all text pages uncut. Volume II: [iv], 500pp., 15pp. unnumbered Index, 1pp. Errata. Interesting intermittent coded notations in margins. Three fold-out copper engraved plates — all in excellent condition and with some foxing.– Complete. Rare.

The author’s first book, and is called by Chambers “one of the most exact and valuable works of [its] kind ever published” (Cox quoting Chambers’ “Cyclopaedia: or, an Universal Dictionary of Arts and Sciences”). The Blackmer catalogue says that “Volney’s popular and highly-regarded work was the result of three years’ travels, a good deal of which time was spent in Cairo. His account has never really been surpassed. Volney went to great lengths in preparation, which included a year devoted to exercise and self-deprivation and three months learning the language required in a convent in the mountains of Lebanon.”

Constantin François Volney (1757-1820) a learned man, and frequent traveller was an important governmental official who was expelled from America as a suspected spy and later narrowly escaped the guillotine during the French Revolution.

$2500.00 -