Descrizione

First edition, 3 vols., comprising 2 volumes of text, 8vo (202 x 125 mm) xv, 423, [3]; 348, [2], with final errata leaf to each volume, wanting the half-titles, plus 4to atlas volume (305 x 220 mm), title, 1 leaf description of the plates and maps, 18 mostly large folding engraved maps and plates, all very clean and bright, text volumes in contemporary speckled calf, double gilt fillet to covers, spine gilt, Marchioness of Downshire monogram with crown above in top compartment of each volume, minor rubbing, otherwise attractively bound text volumes in near fine condition, the atlas in the original blue paper covered boards with original printed title label on upper cover, also in fine clean condition. Rare account of a voyage to the East Indies and a description of French possessions in the Indian Ocean (Mauritius and Reunion) and of Java including Batavia, now Jakarta, which was then ruled by France. The atlas volume contains 7 maps all engraved by Tardieu and it includes a fine large map of Java (380 x 630 mm). The 11 other plates show costumes, native inhabitants etc. and include 3 fine folding views of Batavia and a view of the Dutch settlement of Keppen on the island of Timor. Volume 2 includes a substantial vocabulary of the Malay language. Provenance: Mary Hill (nÈe Sandys, 1764-1836), Marchioness of Downshire and Baroness Sandys; the library of the Second Baron Hesketh of Ombersley Court, Worcestershire.