The Antiquities, Natural History, Ruins, and Other Curiosities of Egypt, Nubia, and Thebes

by Frederic Lewis Norden

illustrated by the Author

FIRST EDITION, Second Issue. Plates are captioned in French. London: Edward Jeffery, 1792.

Hardback is overall in GOOD- condition.

• Antiquarian three-quarter leatherbound volume features red title block and gilt text on spine, as well as lovely colored marble design on covers.
  
• Volume displays commensurate wear and aging, with pronounced fading and edgewear.
• Both covers are detached, with severe rubbing, softening, and some chipping along edges and shoulders.
  
• Much of leather has rubbed off of spine and shoulders. Leather has mostly rubbed off of corners.
• Foot corner of back board is considerably softened, while foot corner of front board has leather chipping off on a 1.5" x 0.5" area. (See photos)
  
• Spine shows severe cracking, with chipping.
  
• Front fep shows some ink and pencil writing from previous owners, with a signature from Sondley, dated 1921. (See photos) 
• Frontispiece is lightly foxed, and overall well preserved.
• Interior is remarkably well preserved, overall in much better condition than exterior, with gentle toning and occasional foxing, that becomes more pronounced at last pages. Foxing on last plates remains mostly marginal, also affecting blank side of pages. (See photos)
  
• Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks.
  
• Pages have a couple of holes at left head corner towards gutter, persisting approximately to plate 10.
  
• Pages have been hand-numbered in pencil throughout.
• Textblock edges exhibit commensurate wear and aging, with warping and dust.
  
• SC20191107

161 pages. 2 x 18 inches.

Antiquarian volume is three-quarter bound in leather, with gilt on red title block onto spine, and handsome colored marble design on covers. Volume contains only plates after title page. Title page indicates printing information: printed for Jeffery's, London, 1792.

Book is lavishly illustrated with 159 numbered B&W plates, and features an engraved portrait frontis by Martin Teuscher as well as an engraved allegorical scene bound after title page. Includes two additional unnumbered plates. 

In maps and drawings, here is a sensational collection of the most fascinating curiosities in Egypt, and specifically Nubia and the city of Thebes. Taken on the spot, all these drawings are detailed plans and maps of the architectural and geographical treasures of that magnificent region. The plans show the structure of temples, reservoirs, castles, and even such notable curiosities as Joseph's Well in Cairo, in full architectural details, and allow an insight into how they were built, that would be possible to a traveler only by taking a full tour. The buildings and architectural pieces are shown in their geographical context, surrounded by water or desert, with full captions in French detailing their name, function, and geographical situation when relevant. 

Frederic Lewis Norden (1708-1742) was a Danish naval captain and explorer. It was on the request of King Christian VI of Denmark, that he made the journey through Egypt down to Sudan in 1737-1738. The drawings and notes were taken on the spot during that journey, constituting a real travel guide and a captivating documentation on the region.

PROVENANCE: front pastedown exhibits illustrated bookplate from the Sondley Reference Library in Asheville, North Carolina.

EDITION POINTS: First Edition, Second Issue. First Issue was published in 1780.

AS IS! Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

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