NIEBUHR, Carsten.
Beschryving van Arabie.
Amsterdam, Steven Jacobus Baalde; Utrecht, Johannes van Schoonhoven & comp. (colophon: printed by Johan Joseph Besseling, Utrecht), 1774. With engraved title-page and 25 engraved plates, including 7 folding showing 1 view of military exercises, 2 Kufic inscriptions (coloured by hand) and 4 maps. The unnumbered map of Yemen (plate size 58.5 x 39 cm) is coloured by hand in outline.
With: (2) NIEBUHR, Carsten. Reize naar Arabië en andere omliggende landen.
Amsterdam, Steven Jacobus Baalde; Utrecht, Johannes van Schoonhoven & comp. (colophons: printed by Johan Joseph Besseling, Utrecht), 1776-1780. With 2 engraved title-pages and 125 engraved plates (38 folding). 2 works in 3 volumes. Large 4to (28.5 x 22.5 cm). Contemporary sprinkled and polished half calf. Untrimmed. [6], XXXXI, [1], 408, [14]; [2], VIII, [6], 484, [2]; [16], 455, [1] pp.
€ 10,000
First and only editions of the Dutch translation of a description of Arabia, Egypt and the Middle East (ad 1) and an account of a voyage to Arabia and surrounding countries (ad 2). Both works were originally written by the Danish traveller and surveyor Carsten Niebuhr (1733-1815) and published in German, in Copenhagen in 1772. Both works are lavishly illustrated, having together 2 large maps of Yemen and 148 beautifully engraved maps, plans and views of all the regions Niebuhr visited.
Fine untrimmed set (giving very large margins) and bound as a matching set, with only the fore-edge of 1 folding plate slightly tattered, a small marginal tear and an occasional leaf with very minor foxing. The bindings show minor wear in the spines and a few small scuff marks on the sides, but are still very good. Lovely copy of two important and complementary works on Arabia and the Middle East, lavishly illustrated. Hamilton, Europe and the Arab world 48; Howgego, to 1800, N24; Tiele, Bibl. 795-796.
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