SHAW (Thomas). - Lot 54

SHAW (Thomas). Voyages... dans plusieurs provinces de la Barbarie et du Levant: contenant des observations geographiques, physiques, philologiques et melées sur les royaumes d'Alger et de Tunis, sur la Syrie, l'Égypte et l'Arabie petrée. La Haye: Jean Neaulme, 1743. - 2 volumes in-4, 257x205: xliv, 414 pp. 5 maps, 2 plans, 5 plates; (2 ff.), 192, 172 pp. 3 maps, 1 plan, 17 plates. Havana half calf, spine ribbed and decorated, blue edges (modern imitation binding). First French edition of one of the most important accounts of North Africa, Egypt and Syria in the 18th century. Thomas Shaw (1694-1751) was an English traveler. He spent twelve years criss-crossing northern Africa, gathering valuable information on geography, arts, natural history and customs. This edition includes notes and corrections by the author to complement the English original of 1738-1746. It is illustrated with 33 plates, including 8 maps, 3 plans and 22 plates, several of which are folding. A very fine copy in a modern imitation binding, very well executed. The interior is in very good condition. Provenance: member of the Fortescue family, of English origin, with old heraldic ex-libris reported, bearing the motto "Forte scutum salus ducum". - Stamp "N. C." on verso of titles.