Travels through Germany, Bohemia, Hungary , Switzerland, Italy and Lorrain . . . (4 vols; 1756-7)

Keysler, John George

Description:

". . . 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 [7] copper-plates [3 folding: see the images], engraved from drawings taken on the spot by John George Keysler, Fellow of the Royal Society in London"

The second German edition was prepared because of "the many errors in the first edition" and the reviser made some omissions and additions.

The volumes substantially postdate the 98 original letters written by Keysler between 1729 and 1731, on which the volumes are based.

The books are in their original full-bound brown calf with decorated spines, marbled endpapers and marbled page edges, gilt lettered on red-and-black morocco spine labels, which are all rubbed, with one badly worn. The sewing of all four book-blocks remains sound. The contents are complete, unmarked and in generally very good condition with foxing limited to a few rear leaves of each volume. The first three leaves of Vol 1 are creased. There are the same contemporary ownership initials and year (1763) on the fly-leaves of Vols 1 and 2. The hinges are worn and three of the covers are detached (but present). Relatively little work will be required to restore the set to its original beauty.

Vol 1. Frontispiece + xx + 520 pp. Letters 1-46, mainly Switzerland and Italy.

Vol 2. vi + 507 pp. Letters 47-60, Italy, including the Vatican.

Vol 3. vi + 395 pp. 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.

 

Details:

  • Publisher: Printed for A Linde, bookseller, and others
  • Publisher Place: London
  • Date of Publication: 1756-7
  • Binding Condition: Fair+
  • Overall Condition: Good+
  • Size: 270 x 220 x 15 cm shelf space; 5 kg
  • Lot No: 351
  • Hammer Price: $368
  • Bids: 2
  • Visits: 66
  • Estimate: $800
  • Reserve: $350

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Seller Details:

  • Name: Fontein Books
  • Address: 27 Voortrekker Street, Philippolis 9970
  • Contact Person: Richard Proctor-Sims
  • Country of Origin: South Africa
  • Email: fontein@wol.co.za
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  • Preferred Payment Methods: Internet bank transfer or Visa or Mastercard
  • Trade Association: AA Approved
  • Additional Information: Fontein Books has for several years participated in Antiquarian Auctions and its predecessor. It specialises in historical and contemporary books on the Free State and Northern Karoo, and is also an active buyer and seller on commission in these and other fields. Fontein's owner, Richard Proctor-Sims, was an editor, writer and small publisher until 2005, when he moved from Johannesburg to Philippolis, the first settlement (1822) north of the Gariep or Orange River, where he opened his first physical bookshop (to which buyers and sellers are welcome), with reasonable holdings in Africana, both Anglo-Boer wars, biography, history, military history, natural history and travel. He regularly visits Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town and offers to deliver heavy or valuable books or sets to these cities on such visits. Richard Proctor-Sims retains the copyright of Fontein's Antiquarian Auction descriptions and these may not be reproduced without permission and acknowledgment.