A Description of the Empire of China and Chinese-Tartary, together with the Kingdoms of Korea and Tibet. London: T. Gardner for Edward Cave, 1738-1741. 2 volumes. Folio (438 x 263 mm). 64 engraved maps, plans and plates (40 folding), including folding frontis map hand-colored in outline. Publisher's calf-backed marbled paper boards, morocco title labels, both volumes entirely uncut, minor wear at joints, rubbing, neat paper repair to margin of Fff1. Provenance: Richard Dodge (contemporary ink inscription). "Historically, this work must be regarded as monumental. Its strength lies in the vast amount and variety of interesting details, which must have given its readers an impression of the magnificence of the Chinese empire and the wide range of achievements of the Chinese people in literature, science, philosophy and art" (Löwendahl). A FINE, UNCUT COPY IN PUBLISHER'S BOARDS OF DU HALDE'S MONUMENTAL WORK ON CHINA IN ENGLISH, THE BOOK THAT OPENED CHINA TO THE WEST. Du Halde's China is the first comprehensive study of China published in the West, dealing at length with China's history, monarchies, moral philosophy, culture, arts, medicine, and sciences. Lavishly illustrated with 43 maps by the finest cartographer of the age, Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville, the work was "the principal cartographic authority on China during the 18th century" (Tooley). Du Halde's maps of Mongolia, Northern China, and Tibet in fact remained the primary cartographic source of knowledge for these regions until well into the 20th century. Called by Löwendahl the "Bible of European Sinophilia," the encyclopedic nature of Du Halde's book made it the primary source of Enlightenment knowledge about China and its region. Voltaire deemed the work to be "the most complete and best description of China in the world." Du Halde's descriptions of Tibet and Korea, in particular, are among the earliest printed accounts of these countries, including the first separate map of Korea ever printed. It is also significantly the first published account of Vitus Bering's description of the Bering Strait, as well as "THE FIRST PRINTED MAP OF PART OF PRESENT ALASKA" (Schwartz & Ehrenberg, Mapping of America), from manuscripts given by Bering to the King of Poland upon his return, who in turn passed them to Du Halde (Hill). The first complete edition in English of the primary Western work on China, in exceptional condition, entirely untrimmed in publisher's boards. Hill 498; Löwendahl 394; Tooley Maps and Mapmakers, p 107.
A Description of the Empire of China and Chinese-Tartary, together with the Kingdoms of Korea and Tibet. London: T. Gardner for Edward Cave, 1738-1741. 2 volumes. Folio (438 x 263 mm). 64 engraved maps, plans and plates (40 folding), including folding frontis map hand-colored in outline. Publisher's calf-backed marbled paper boards, morocco title labels, both volumes entirely uncut, minor wear at joints, rubbing, neat paper repair to margin of Fff1. Provenance: Richard Dodge (contemporary ink inscription). "Historically, this work must be regarded as monumental. Its strength lies in the vast amount and variety of interesting details, which must have given its readers an impression of the magnificence of the Chinese empire and the wide range of achievements of the Chinese people in literature, science, philosophy and art" (Löwendahl). A FINE, UNCUT COPY IN PUBLISHER'S BOARDS OF DU HALDE'S MONUMENTAL WORK ON CHINA IN ENGLISH, THE BOOK THAT OPENED CHINA TO THE WEST. Du Halde's China is the first comprehensive study of China published in the West, dealing at length with China's history, monarchies, moral philosophy, culture, arts, medicine, and sciences. Lavishly illustrated with 43 maps by the finest cartographer of the age, Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville, the work was "the principal cartographic authority on China during the 18th century" (Tooley). Du Halde's maps of Mongolia, Northern China, and Tibet in fact remained the primary cartographic source of knowledge for these regions until well into the 20th century. Called by Löwendahl the "Bible of European Sinophilia," the encyclopedic nature of Du Halde's book made it the primary source of Enlightenment knowledge about China and its region. Voltaire deemed the work to be "the most complete and best description of China in the world." Du Halde's descriptions of Tibet and Korea, in particular, are among the earliest printed accounts of these countries, including the first separate map of Korea ever printed. It is also significantly the first published account of Vitus Bering's description of the Bering Strait, as well as "THE FIRST PRINTED MAP OF PART OF PRESENT ALASKA" (Schwartz & Ehrenberg, Mapping of America), from manuscripts given by Bering to the King of Poland upon his return, who in turn passed them to Du Halde (Hill). The first complete edition in English of the primary Western work on China, in exceptional condition, entirely untrimmed in publisher's boards. Hill 498; Löwendahl 394; Tooley Maps and Mapmakers, p 107.
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