A New and Complete System of Geography - Vol. I Rare 18th Century Folio Edition

Printed in London for J. Cooke, at Shakespeare's-Head, No. 17, Pater-Noster-Row (circa 1778)
This is an exceptionally rare, monumental 18th-century antiquarian folio volume tracking the world's global empires, kingdoms, states, and republics during the golden age of discovery. Written by Charles Theodore Middleton, Esq., this comprehensive work covers the historical geography, customs, manners, and topographies of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. This specific volume comprises the complete historical text for Volume I, presenting a magnificent specimen of classic Georgian era printing.

Item Specifications:

• Title: A New and Complete System of Geography (Vol. I)
• Author: Charles Theodore Middleton, Esq.
• Publisher: Printed for J. Cooke (London, England)
• Publication Year: circa 1778 (Undated title page, established by bibliographic records)
• Format: Large Antiquarian Folio, full period leather/calf binding
• Language: English text
• Pages: 546 pages followed by the complete alphabetical index sections
• Dimensions: 38 cm x 25 cm

Features and Content:

• Monumental double-column historical accounts covering early modern geographical exploration, charting kingdoms like Indostan (India), Tartary, the Kingdom of Korea (Corea), China, and broad Asiatic territories as well as Africa.
• Includes the complete introductory astronomical tables mapping out global latitude and longitude metrics relative to the London meridian.
• Contains the full multi-page alphabetical master index for Volume I (covering letters A to Z completely).
• Retains one beautiful original full-page copper plate engraving executed specifically for this series titled: Sepulchral Caves of the Guanches in the Isle of Teneriff.
• Features the original "Directions to the Binder for placing the CUTS" leaf at the rear, historically documenting the full list of plates and maps originally intended for the work.

Condition:
Good antique pre-owned condition. The heavy contemporary full-leather binding remains complete and structurally secure with a stable spine block, displaying typical surface cracking, honest corner rounding, and cosmetic wear consistent with a 250-year-old reference book. Internally, the text block is solid and tight. The pages are remarkably crisp, exhibiting natural age-related toning, faint scattered foxing, and clean margins entirely free of modern ink stamps.

Crucial Completeness Note (Please Read):
This volume is sold strictly as-is for text reference, historical study, or archival binding rescue. It lacks the extensive suites of copper plates and maps originally issued with the work, containing only the single engraving of the Teneriff Sepulchral Caves pictured. All 546 text pages, the complete index block, and the binder instructions leaf remain present and fully intact.

SHIPPING AND HANDLING:
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Flat Shipping Rates:
USA, Canada, and the Americas: USD 25
Europe: USD 30
Rest of the world: USD 35

The book will be carefully packed with professional-grade protective wrapping and moisture barriers to ensure it arrives safely at your destination.

Note: This piece is sold as-is, from a private collection. A gorgeous historical reference for collectors of rare 18th-century travel books and monumental English folio publications.