Beschreibung:

A New General Collection of Voyages and Travel: Consisting of the most Esteemed Relations, which have been hitherto published in any Language: Comprehending every Thing remarkable in its Kind, in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America... Author: [Green, John, compiler] Place: London Publisher: Thomas Astley Date: 1745-47 Description: 4 volumes. 4 engraved allegorical frontispieces with 224 additional engraved plates and maps (55 folding). (4to) 25.7x20.5 cm (10x8"), mottled calf boards rebacked with earlier gilt-tooled and gilt-ruled spine strip laid down, red morocco lettering piece, raised bands, edges speckled red. First Edition. Contents include: Volume I: First voyages of the Portuguese to the East Indies, 1418-1546; First voyage of the English to Guinea, and the East Indies, 1522-1598; First voyages of the English to the East Indies, set forth by the company of merchants, 1600-1620; Voyages to Africa and the islands adjacent, 1455-1721. Volume II: Voyages and travels along the western coast of Africa, 1637-1735; Voyages and travels to Guinea and Benin, 1666-1726; Description of Guinea. Volume III: Voyages and travels to Guinea, Benin, Kongo and Angola; Description of Loango, Kongo, Angola, Benguela, and adjacent countries; Description of the countries along the eastern coast of Africa, from Cape of Good Hope to Cape Guarda Fuy; Voyages and travels in China, 1655-1722. Volume IV: Description of China, of Korea, eastern Tartary and Tibet; Travels through Tartary, Tibet, and Bukharia, to and from China, 1246-1698. The Enlightenment goes sailing in John Green's exhaustive compilation as his subtitle indicates with its multiple colons and semicolons separating the society's exhaustive areas of interest, "A Compleat system of modern geography and history, exhibiting the present state of all nations; illustrated not only with charts of the several divisions of the ocean, and maps of each country, entirely new composed, as well as new engraved, by the best hands, from the latest surveys, discoveries and astronomical observations: but likewise with variety of plans, and prospects of coasts, harbours and cities; besides cuts representing antiquities, animals, vegetables, the persons and habits of the people, and other curiosities: selected from the most authentic travellers, foreign as well as English." Hill considered this collection "[a] particularly good source for Portuguese and English voyages". Other highlights include: George Roberts' voyage to Bermuda (1721); Atkins' voyage to Guinea, Brazil and the West Indies (1721); Smith's voyage to Guinea (1726); and an abridged English translation of du Halde's account of China. Sabin 28539; ESTC T39853. Ownership marks on front pastedown and title page. Lot Amendments Condition: Light rubbing and scuffs to calf; light foxing, a few minor tears and repairs; very good or better. Item number: 344059