An authentic account of an embassy from the King of Great Britain to the emperor of China [...].

3 vol. Text: 2 vol., 4to: portrait-[2]-xxxiv-518, portrait-xx-626 pp. (very fresh conditon except occ. foxing and marg. soiling, last part of vol. II sl. browned). - Atlas: folio: 44 pl. (some foxing, 1st map very sl. age-toned).

Text: contemp calf, gilt-ruled flat spines, a.e.g. (spines, edges and corners renewed, scratching). - Atlas: contemp. half calf with corners, marbled paper boards, gilt-ruled flat spine (sl. rubbed). Wide-margined copy.

First edition of the detailed travel account of the first embassy sent to China and Tartary by King George III in 1792, written after the papers of ambassador Macartney (1737-1806) by his secretary G. Staunton. With information on navigations (i.a. one first European navigation on the Yellow Sea), stops on several islands, descriptions of cities, inlands, the imperial residence at Rehe, the Great Wall, on natural history, arts, religions, costumes, etc. of China and Cochinchina. Text volumes illustrated with portraits of Macartney and Qianlong Emperor and 26 tailpieces; atlas containing 44 plates, some double-paged and one fold.: maps (general chart, part of Cochinchina, coast of the promontory of Shantung, "Pay-Ho or White river"...), views i.a. The Great Wall, natives, etc.
Ref. Cordier, Sinica, 2382-3. - Cox I:344. - Not in Chadenat (Fr. ed.).