KIRKPATRICK, William, Colonel (1754-1812). An Account of the Kingdom of Nepaul. London, 1811. FIRST EDITION.
4to (297 x 230 mm). Engraved folding map, 14 engraved plates (one hand-colored); half-title, engraved title-page vignette, 4pp. advertisements dated spring 1811. Later half calf, marbled boards spine gilt, green calf lettering-piece gilt. FIRST EDITION of the first account by the first Englishman to enter the Terra Incognita of the Kathmandu Valley. The primary goal of Kirkpatrick's expedition was to mediate with China following the Second Tibetan-Nepalese War of 1792. Lord Cornwallis of India dispatched he mission, headed by Kirkpatrick, shortly after the Nepalese Gurkhas had entered Shigatse in Tibet. They were soon defeated by Chinese forces, and immediately thereafter, Nepal requested an intervention by British India to conclude a commercial treaty between China and Nepal. A FINE WIDE-MARGINED COPY. Yakushi K214.
