The Travels of Ibn Batuta. Translated from the abridged Arabic manuscript copies, preserved in the public library of Cambridge. With notes, illustrative of the history, geography, botany, antiquities, &c. occurring throughout the work. (Including:) Report of the Proceedings of the First General Meeting of the Subscribers to the Oriental Translation Fund [.].

Large 4to (275 x 215 mm). (2), XX, 243, (1) pp.; 16; 43, (1) pp. With various passages including the original Arabic text. Old calf. First edition of the first substantial English translation of the travel account of Abu Abdullah Mohammed ibn Batuta (1304-68/69), known in the West as the Arabian Marco Polo, with extensive footnotes. A presentation copy with a special presentation leaf, gifted to the Junior United Service Club, whose bookplate this copy bears. - "While on a pilgrimage to Mecca [Ibn Batuta] made a decision to extend his travels throughout the whole of the Islamic world. Possibly the most remarkable of the Arab travellers, he is estimated to have covered 75,000 miles in forty years" (Howgego). His journeys included trips to North Africa, the Horn of Africa, West Africa and Eastern Europe in the West, and to the Middle East, South Asia, Central Asia, Southeast Asia and China. - The account, known as the Rihla, is esteemed for its lively descriptions of his travels, giving notable information on the history, geography and botany of the countries and cities Ibn Batuta visited, such as Tangiers, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Arabia, Persia, Africa, Central Asia, India, Ceylon, and China. He describes, for example, the city of Aden as follows: "From this place I went to the city of Aden, which is situated on the sea-shore. This is a large city, but without either seed, water, or tree. They have, however, reservoirs, in which they collect the rain-water for drinking. Some rich merchants reside here: and vessels from India occasionally arrive here. The inhabitants are modest and religious" (p. 55). - Rebacked, extremeties and hinges professionally repaired. Minor toning. - From the collection of the U.S. conservationist Esmond Bradley Martin (1941-2018), long a U.N. special envoy for the conservation of rhinoceros. - Howgego, to 1800, B47. Cordier 2046. Cox I, 85. Lust 273. Morrison I, 430.