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In-4 (4to), 25.5x20.5cm (10"x8"). First edition. French language. "Dans lequel on traite des Moeurs, de la Religion, des Sciences & des Arts des Indiens, des Chinois, des Pégouins & des Madégasses; suivi d'Observations sur le Cap de Bonne-Espérance, les Isles de France & de Bourbon, les Maldives, Ceylan, Malacca, les Philippines & les Moluques, & de Recherches sur l'Histoire Naturelle de ces Pays." Complete set of two volumes uniformly bound in contemporary full tan calf; gilt stamp of the 'Society of Writers to the Signet' on all four boards, with related label and short inscriptions on front pastedowns, and single-line abbreviated inscriptions along inner margins of both title-pages; some ink transference from inscriptions onto leaves opposite. Shaken copy, to extent of loosened gatherings in both volumes, and book-block of Vol. I broken in more than one place. Vol. I: ppXV,(1),317,(1)/(2) including half-title, errata, and blank final leaf. Vol. II: pp(2)/I-IV,(8),V-VIII,298/(2) including half-title, list of subscribers, index, and single blank preliminary & final leaves. With vignette to each title-page, head- & tailpieces, and all 140 plates called for - 20 of which double-page. Contents variably foxed & toned throughout, here & there a little unsightly so. In addition, five largeish oval & circular tan patches over gutter between pages 14 & 15 of Vol. II, persisting with diminishing effect & extent over gutters up to pages 38 & 39 and over gutters back to that between verso of half-title and title-page; confined to inner margins, except to varying lightish degrees over folds of three double-page plates - Pl. 81 Vüe de la Ville de Canton, Pl. 82 Mandarin accompagné de ses Bourreaux, and Pl. 83 Convoi Chinois - none of which too adversely affected. Lower margin of double-page Pl. 1 (Plan de Pondichery, in Vol. I) cropped, with significant losses to line 'M' of key at centre and to line of print at right beneath final line of key, rendering both lines illegible; key otherwise complete. Spines of bindings with five lightly raised bands, gilt titles and volume numbers on paler tan leather labels, and gilt date at tails. Spine of Vol. I in poor condition, being rubbed & grazed, with surface loss, tears at head and tail, and open splits from head to tail corresponding to breaks in book-block. Spine of Vol II rubbed & grazed, with surface splits and loss. Hinges of Vol. I rubbed; hinges of Vol. II worn, front hinge being split from head to tail and rear almost completely so. Boards with gilt stamp and narrow dark ruled borders; all rubbed & marked, with variable wear at corners. Front board of Vol. II detached together with flyleaf and half-title; rear board only very loosely held (or as good as detached). Original endpapers adhesive-stained at upper-, fore- and lower edges; rear endpapers of Vol. II completely split along hinge, rear endpapers of Vol. I almost completely so. Top edges of text-blocks darkly tinted, other edges age-toned. A classic of natural history and of exploration & discovery in India, the East Indies, the Far East, and elsewheres. Despite the number of flaws, a FAIR / ACCEPTABLE copy worthy of restoration and of full or partial rebind. Seller Inventory # 27576
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