Travels through Germany, Bohemia, Hungary, Switzerland, Italy, and Lorrain . . . (second English edition; complete in 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 copper-plates, engraved from drawings taken on the spot by John George Keysler, Fellow of the Royal Society in London. Carefully translated from the second edition of the German"

The volumes are based on 98 of Keysler's letters written between 1729 and 1731.

Vol 1. Frontispiece + xx + 520 pp of text and index + folding and other maps. Dedication to his Royal Highness George Prince of Wales. Preface (25 March 1751, Altona), including ". . . and I hope this impression is free from the many errors of the first edition. I have taken the liberty to add several notes from ecclesiastical, natural, and literary history, in order to explain or illustrate the text . . . the reviser of these sheets has retrenched some passages and notes which might seem superfluous, and omitted some circumstances that might appear little interesting to the English reader. He has likewise thrown in a few remarks by way of notes . . ." Letters 1-46, mainly Switzerland and Italy.

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

Vol 3. vi + 395 pp of text and index. 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.

This attractive set is full-bound in original brown calf with decorated spines, marbled endpapers and marbled page edges. The handmade laid text paper remains largely undiscoloured, with foxing on only a few back leaves of some volumes. The set is complete, though with the following flaws:

The spines are chipped, with some loss of lettering. The joins between the covers and spines are worn. The first three leaves of Vol 1, including the frontispiece, are creased. Small areas of leather have been rubbed or scraped from the boards on all eight covers. The sewing and binding of all four book-blocks remains sound, but both the covers of Vol 1 and the front cover of Vol 4 are detached but present.

Other copies of this fascinating and now more than 250-year-old work are available - though perhaps not in South Africa - but this excellent set, although it will reward some restoration, will appeal to the specialist collector.

Details:

  • Publisher: Printed for A Linde, bookseller to her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales and T Field
  • Publisher Place: London
  • Date of Publication: 1756-7
  • Edition: Second
  • Binding Condition: Fair +
  • Overall Condition: Good +
  • Size: 270 x 220 x 150 (shelf space); 5 kg
  • Lot No: 1
  • Hammer Price: $420
  • Bids: 2
  • Visits: 151
  • Estimate: $800
  • Reserve: $400

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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
  • Website:
  • 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.