Travel
THUNBERG, Carl Peter.
Voyages [...] au Japon, par le Cap de Bonne-Espérance, les îles de la Sonde, &c. ...
Dandres, Paris An VI [1796]. 4 volumes, 8vo., frontispiece, 46 engraved plates on 45 leaves, fine contemporary red morocco gilt, covers with broad gilt borders enclosing gilt-tooled Russian arms of the Golovkin family on upper board and monogram on lower board, all edges gilt, lightly rubbed, old Russian stamp to title, last plate in each volume, title-page vol. iii with old repair, nineteenth century ink ownership of Alexandre Mansioutoff to titles, an excellent set.
Thunberg travelled on a VOC ship to Japan, which at that time was closed to all European nations except Holland, where he studied the fauna and flora of that country for three years. He was the first Western scientist to investigate the botany of Japan. This edition has the advantage of Lamarck's revision of the natural history text. "His narrative affords considerable information respecting the natural history of the country together with notes on the Hottentots, Kafirs, and slaves, and general remarks on the state of the Cape at this period ... his botanical notes being of special value." (Mendelssohn). Cordier Japan, 447; cf. Mendelssohn II, 499 (English edition).
Price: £ 5500
US Dollar Price: $ 10910
Stock Number: 72755