1733 · London
by B Picart; C Du Bosc
London: Printed by William Jackson, for Claude Du Bosc, engraver at the Golden Head in Charles-Street, Covent Garden, 1733. Covers off, contents tight and generally clean, plates are wonderful LACKING TITLE-PAGE!. Full leather 6 raised bands. Half-title, ix, 514 pp (2), 13 pp. index (1). 57 crisp engravings of various ceremonies throughout. This volume covers the Religious habits of Banians (A Supplement to previous discussions), Ceremonies of some Indian Kings, Religious Customs of Pacifists of Afem, Ava and Aracan; The Religion of Pegu; The Religion of Siam; The Religion of The People of Laies, Langiens, or Laos; The Religion of The Tunquinese; Japan; China; Formosa; Corea and Jesso; Tartary; Lapland; the Persians; Africans; Inhabitants of The Coast of Guinea; Ardra; Negroes of Cabo de Monte; Congo, Angola, Gauls; Guaga's; Natives of South Cafraria; Monomatapa; Sofola; Ethiopians; Madagascar; ancient religion of Canaries; a few others. written originally in French, and illustrated with a large number of folio copper plates, all beautifully designed by Bernard Picart and curiously engraved by most of the best hands in Europe ; faithfully translated into English, by a Gentleman, some time since of St. John's College in Oxford. A large volume, roughly 17" x 11" x 2.5". Although lacking the title-page, the condition of the 57 plates, combined with unique and useful observations on the topics presented still make this an extraordinary volume and reference.
(Inventory #: 156486)