Beschreibung:

Title: A Description of the Empire of China and Chinese-Tartary, together with the kingdoms of Korea, and Tibet: containing the geography and history (natural as well as civil) of those countries Author: Du Halde, Jean-Baptiste Place: London Publisher: Printed by T. Gardner...for Edward Cave Date: 1738-1741 Description: 2 volumes. [4], xi, [1], xii, [2], 678; [4], 388, [18] pp. With 64 copper-engraved maps, plans & plates, most folding. (folio) 15¾x9¾, period diced calf, rebacked with original spine strips laid on, marbled endpapers. Du Halde's important description of China and the east, notable for the significant series of maps as well as the text and views. Many of the maps are signed by Emanuel Bowen and the title-page notes "From the French of P. J.B. Du Halde, Jesuit: with Notes Geographical, Historical, and Critical; and Other Improvements, particularly in the Maps, by the Translator." There was an earlier edition in English (The General History of China) published in 4 volumes, octavo, in 1736, which had only 15 plates and 4 maps. This impressive folio edition was first issued in parts to subscribers, in fortnightly or monthly installments. There are two general maps of China, maps of the various provinces and plans of their cities, and, notably, a 13-sheet map of Tartary (a general map and 12 detail maps), and a 9-sheet map of Tibet (the general map of Tibet called for in the list of plates and maps at the end of Vol. II is not present, and was apparently never issued, or at any rate is not present in most copies). The plates include city views, portraits, etc.; four of the plates with later hand-coloring, including the portrait of Confucius, which has been placed as the frontispiece in Vol. I. Provenance: A Northern California private collector. Lot Amendments Condition: Some discoloration and wear to covers, spines darkened; occasional mostly marginal dampstaining to contents, 1 map darkened, another repaired, overall very good, with armorial bookplates of Leigh. Item number: 204980