Beschreibung:

KAEMPFER, Engelbert (1651-1716). The History of Japan, giving an Account of the ancient and present State and Government of that Empire... translated from his Original Manuscript, never before printed... With the Life of the Author. Translated from German into English by Johann Caspar Scheuchzer. London: Printed for the translator 1727.
KAEMPFER, Engelbert (1651-1716). The History of Japan, giving an Account of the ancient and present State and Government of that Empire... translated from his Original Manuscript, never before printed... With the Life of the Author. Translated from German into English by Johann Caspar Scheuchzer. London: Printed for the translator 1727. 2 volumes in one, 2 o (346 x 219 mm). Additional engraved title, letterpress titles in red and black, list of subscribers, Index bound at end, Second Appendix bound at end of vol. 2, woodcut head-pieces and initials, 45 engraved plates (most double-page, 10 folding, including large folding map of Japan) (short tear to folding map). Contemporary calf (rebacked). FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH. Kaempfer, a German physician, travelled throughout Japan in 1690-91. His History --an encyclopaedic description of the Japanese flora and fauna, government and industries--remained the chief source of Western knowledge of Japan for over a century. This English translation is by Scheuchzer, the librarian of Sir Hans Sloane, who had acquired Kaempfer's botanical specimens after the author's death. Cordier, Japonica p.414-15; Cox I:332; Garrison-Morton 6374.11; See Nissen BBI 1019 note; Wellcome III:376.