Live auction - Lot 456
[China]
A voyage to China and the East Indies [...]. Together with a Voyage to Suratte, by Olof Toreen [...]. And an Account of the Chinese husbandry, by Captain Charles Gustavus Eckeberg. Translated from the German, by John Reinhold Forster, F.A.S. To which are added, a Faunula and Flora Sinensis.
London, printed for B. White, 1771
€ 350 / 450
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Lot description
2 vol., 8vo: xx-396, [2]-367-[33] pp.; 13 pl. (foxing to some ff., marg. tear to p. 253 without lack in vol. I).
Contemp. marbled calf, gilt orn. flat spines with red modern leather labels (rebacked, some slight traces of use).
First English edition by Johann Reinhold Forster (1st Swedish ed.: 1757). Osbeck (1723-1805), who was appointed chaplain on a ship going to the East Indies, made written observations during the journey, especially of the flora. Illustrated with 13 plates of which 11 Chinese plants. The second vol. contains detailed descriptions of Chinese fauna and flora. His botanical study contributed to Linnaeus' "Species Plantarum" adding more than 600 species. Also incl. are two small other works by O. Toreen relating to a voyage to Suratte and a description of Chinese husbandry by Eckeberg.
Ref. Cordier, Sinica, 2098. - Cox I: 342. - Pritzel 6868 (Swedish ed.). - Goldsmith 10715.
Lot 456
A voyage to China and the East Indies [...]. Together with a Voyage to Suratte, by Olof Toreen [...]. And an Account of the Chinese husbandry, by Captain Charles Gustavus Eckeberg. Translated from the German, by John Reinhold Forster, F.A.S. To which are added, a Faunula and Flora Sinensis.
OSBECK, Pehr