Descrizione

First Edition in English. This copy has two title pages, one with the Tonson imprint rubricated (black and red), the other with the Heyrick imprint in black only. Sabin states: “As some copies have only the black titles and some only the rubricated ones, while others have both, it seems possible that all the issues were originally published with two titles.” Engraved portrait frontispiece of translator Paul Rycaut, the rubricated title page in red and black, and 10 copperplate engravings. Folio, an especially handsome copy, bound in its original contemporary speckled English calf, the spine with raised bands, the compartments with floriated panels decorated in gilt, red morocco lettering piece gilt, the covers with a border decorations rolled in blind and double-filleted rules at the borders. 1019. A superb copy of this rare and early work. The book remains in its original binding. The text-block is crisp, clean and unpressed, The engraved illustrations are all in excellent condition. A truly wonderful copy and especially fine survival of a book rarely if ever found in such condition.