GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CHINE
PAR M. L'ABBE GROSIER CHANOINE DE SAINT LOUIS DU LOUVRE
NEW EDITION AVEC CARTES AND FIGURES
IN PARIS
CHEZ MOUTARD
MDCCLXXXVI
AVEC APPROBATION & PRIVILEGE DU ROI
Beautiful illustrated edition of 1786 of this important work about China and surrounding states (Tibet, Korea etc..) written by Jean Baptiste Gabriel Alexandre Grosier (1743-1823) based on the tales of jesuits.
The work describes laws, customs, sciences and arts of China. It had a great success and known in that time as "the most complete, the most instructif and the best that lon possesses sur la Chine" (Michaud). Cordier Sinica, 61-62 ; Löwendahl, 813 ; Western Travelers in China, 61.
The work is in two volumes and is complete.
The first tome contains the topographical description of Chinese Empire, number and situation of cities, condition of people, natural history. The second tome is dedicated to government, religion, customs and usages art and sciences of Chinese people.
Inside there is a folded map of China (Carte de la Chine avec la Tartarie Chinoise) and 15 out of text plates showing items, decorations, scenes of daily life (Emperor in different kind of cars, funerals, measuring items, sphere of emperor Chun), musical instruments, weapons, flags, different kind of cars etc..
Work bought in China, label in the back counterplate "French bookstore Peiping".
In good conditions.
Leather coeval cover with gilted title in the spine in fair conditions lightly worn in the extremities. Binding in good conditions. Pages in good condition with occasional foxing. Restorations in the map. In 8. 20x13 cm. pp. XXIV+647, (4)+512.
