\". . . Giving a true and just description of the present state of those countries; their natural, literary and political history; manners, laws, commerce, manufactures, painting, sculpture, architecture, coins, antiquities, curiosities of art and nature, &c. Illustrated with copper-plates, engraved from drawings taken on the spot by John George Keysler, Fellow of the Royal Society in London. Carefully translated from the second edition of the German\"
The volumes are based on 98 of Keysler\'s letters written between 1729 and 1731.
Vol 1. Frontispiece + xx + 520 pp of text and index + folding and other maps. Dedication to his Royal Highness George Prince of Wales. Preface (25 March 1751, Altona), including \". . . and I hope this impression is free from the many errors of the first edition. I have taken the liberty to add several notes from ecclesiastical, natural, and literary history, in order to explain or illustrate the text . . . the reviser of these sheets has retrenched some passages and notes which might seem superfluous, and omitted some circumstances that might appear little interesting to the English reader. He has likewise thrown in a few remarks by way of notes . . .\" Letters 1-46, mainly Switzerland and Italy.
Vol 2. vi + 507 pp of text and index. Letters 47-60, Italy, including the Vatican.
Vol 3. vi + 395 pp of text and index. Letters 61-79, Italy.
Vol 4. vi + 290 pp of text + 77 pp of appendixes + 8 pp of index. Letters 80-96, mainly Germany and France.
This attractive set is full-bound in original brown calf with decorated spines, marbled endpapers and marbled page edges. The handmade laid text paper remains largely undiscoloured, with foxing on only a few back leaves of some volumes. The set is complete, though with the following flaws:
The spines are chipped, with some loss of lettering. The joins between the covers and spines are worn. The first three leaves of Vol 1, including the frontispiece, are creased. Small areas of leather have been rubbed or scraped from the boards on all eight covers. The sewing and binding of all four book-blocks remains sound, but both the covers of Vol 1 and the front cover of Vol 4 are detached but present.
Other copies of this fascinating and now more than 250-year-old work are available - though perhaps not in South Africa - but this excellent set, although it will reward some restoration, will appeal to the specialist collector.
- Binding Condition: Fair +
- Overall Condition: Good +
- Size: 270 x 220 x 150 (shelf space); 5 kg
- Sold By: Fontein Books
- Contact Person: Richard Proctor-Sims
- Country: South Africa
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 051 773 0050/048 079 546 4032
- Preferred Payment Methods: Eft (South Africa), SWIFT (rest of world), or $ checks for US or Australian buyers
- Trade Associations: AA Approved
