Books and Manuscripts

Pococke, Richard
A Description of the East, and Some other Countries
London: Printed for the Author, by W. Bowyer, and sold by J. and P. Knapton, et al., 1743-45. In three volumes. First edition. Folio, 15 1/8 x 9 7/16 in. (384 x 240 mm). (ii), vi, (viii), 310; (ii), xi, (i), 268; vii, (i), 308 pp. Illustrated with engraved vignette title-pages, engraved dedication, 179 engraved plates (including numerous folding and double-page plates), including a duplicate of pl. XXXI (map of Cyprus) in Vol. II Part. I. Full brown morocco, orange morocco spine labels, stamped in blind and in gilt, and with the charge of the Ducs de Luynes stamped in gilt on front and rear board corners of each volume; speckled red edges; full gilt dentelles; marbled endpapers; by J. Weber; scattered light to moderate foxing and toning to text and plates; scattered soiling in margins; expert repairs along edges of several folding plates; several plates trimmed, but not affecting images; plate V in Vol. II Part I trimmed along bottom edge with title partially excised; bottom edge of plate LXII in Vol. II Part II trimmed within engraved border, plate LXIV in same volume trimmed along bottom edge with title partially excised. From the library of the Ducs de Luynes, with the armorial book-plate of the Château de Dampierre on verso of front free endpaper in each volume. Blackmer 1323

An essential travel account on Egypt and the Levant. Educated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, Richard Pococke undertook two Grand Tours of Italy before he traveled in the Middle East from 1737 to 1740, visiting Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, Asia Minor, and Greece. The first volume is devoted to Egypt; and the second to Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Cyprus, Crete, the Greek islands, Asia Minor, Thrace, Greece and other parts of Europe.