[Rarebooks] FS: The Chief Source of Western Knowledge of Japan, 1728, with 45 plates & maps

[Charles Agvent]

 From our new Spring catalog of 85 new arrivals:

[JAPAN] KAEMPFER, Engelbert. THE HISTORY OF JAPAN: GIVING AN ACCOUNT OF 
THE ANTIENT AND PRESENT STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THAT EMPIRE ... TOGETHER 
WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE KINGDOM OF SIAM. London: for the Publisher, 
and Thomas Woodward and Charles Davis, 1728. First Edition. Two folio 
(8-1/2" x 13-3/4) volumes in contemporary calf leather, neatly rebacked 
preserving the original gilt spine labels. First edition in English, 
second issue (with the additional appendix in volume 2), translated from 
the German by J. G. Scheuchzer. Titles printed in red and black with 
additional engraved titles and 45 mostly double-page or folding plates 
and maps. Kaempfer's HISTORY OF JAPAN "was for more than a century the 
chief source of Western knowledge of the country. It contains the first 
biography of Kaempfer; an account of his journey; a history and 
description of Japan and its fauna; a description of Nagasaki and 
Deshima; a report on two embassies to Edo with a description of the 
cities which were visited on the way; and six appendices, on tea, 
Japanese paper, acupuncture, moxa, ambergris, and Japan's seclusion 
policy" (DICTIONARY OF SCIENTIFIC BIOGRAPHY). Kaempfer was a physician 
for the Dutch East India Company's trading settlement at Nagasaki in the 
late 17th century. Sir Hans Sloane acquired the manuscript after 
Kaempfer's death, and arranged for it to be translated into English for 
this edition. Of significance is the fine folding map of Japan, 
"Imperium Japonicum in Sexaginta et Octo Provincias Divisum...." Light 
dampstaining in second volume. Generally clean and bright, Near Fine.

Cordier, JAPONICA pages 414-15; Cox I: 332; Garrison-Morton 6374.11; See 
Nissen BBI 1019 note; Wellcome III: 376. (#019215)     $7,500.00

https://www.charlesagvent.com/shop/agvent/019215.html

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