First description of the Gobi Desert by a European
IDES, Evert Ysbrants. Three Years Travels from Moscow over-land to China: thro' great Ustiga, Siriania, Permia, Sibiria, Daour, Great Tartary, &c. to Peking. Containing An exact and particular Description of the Extent and Limits of those Countries, and the Customs of the Barbarous Inhabitants; with reference to their Religion, Government, Marriages, daily Imployments, Habits, Habitations, Diet, Death, Funerals, &c. To which is annex'd an accurate Description of China, done originally by a Chinese Author: With several Remarks, by way of Commentary, alluding to what our European Authors have writ of that Country. London: Printed for W. Freeman, et al. 1706.
4to. Contemporary full calf, spine with raised bands and red morocco lettering-piece, boards ornamented in gilt, marbled endpapers; pp. [xii], 210, [2, directions to the binder], additional engraved allegorical title, large engraved folding map, 30 engraved plates (8 folding); expertly rebacked, retaining the original material, apart from brow-spotting to the directions to the binder at the end, a remarkably clean, fresh and crisp copy.
First English edition, an outstanding travelogue by a Dutch merchant who traveled to China in the service of Peter the Great to establish trade relations. This is one of the earlier and most detailed descriptions of parts of Central Asia. The description of the Gobi desert is considered the first by a European.
ESTC T55175; Cordier 2468.
#2119795