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The History of Japan: giving an Account of the antient and present State and Government of that Empire; of its Temples, Palaces, Castles, and other buildings; of its Metals, Minerals, Trees, plants, Animals, Birds and Fishes ... together with a description of the Kingdom of Siam ... with a life of the author. London: for the publisher, 1728. 2 volumes and 2 appendices in 1, 2 (34.5 x 22.2cm.). Engraved additional title, letterpress titles printed in red and black, 44 (of 45) engraved plates, plans, and maps, mostly double-page or folding, including large folding Map of Japan in vol. I, list of subscribers. (Lacking plate 42, first gathering disbound.) Later calf (covers detached, extremities rubbed). Provenance: George Thackeray (armorial bookplate). FIRST EDITION. Kaempfer's work was essential to any student of
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Englebert Kaempfer
The History of Japan: giving an Account of the antient and present State and Government of that Empire; of its Temples, Palaces, Castles, and other buildings; of its Metals, Minerals, Trees, plants, Animals, Birds and Fishes ... together with a description of the Kingdom of Siam ... with a life of the author. London: for the publisher, 1728. 2 volumes and 2 appendices in 1, 2 (34.5 x 22.2cm.). Engraved additional title, letterpress titles printed in red and black, 44 (of 45) engraved plates, plans, and maps, mostly double-page or folding, including large folding Map of Japan in vol. I, list of subscribers. (Lacking plate 42, first gathering disbound.) Later calf (covers detached, extremities rubbed). Provenance: George Thackeray (armorial bookplate). FIRST EDITION. Kaempfer's work was essential to any student of
Japan for well over a century following after its first publication
between 1727 and 1728. Such was the success of the work that a second
edition followed immediately in 1728, of which the present copy is an
example. Kaempfer was in Japan from September 1690 to October 1692 as a physician in the employ of the Dutch East India Company. After his
death in 1716 his papers were purchased by Sir Hans Sloane, who arranged for J.G. Scheuchzer to translate them from German into English. Kaempfer's collecting of information was as encyclopaedic as it was discriminating. The History of Japan contains 'the first biography of Kaempfer, an account of his journey, a history and description of Japan and its fauna, a description of Nagasaki and Deshima; a report on two embassies to Edo with a description of the cities which were visited on the way; and six appendices, on tea, Japanese paper, acupuncture, moxa, amergis, and Japan's seclusion policy.' (DSB vol. 7, p. 205). Cordier Japonica 413; Nissen BBI 1019.
The History of Japan: giving an Account of the antient and present State and Government of that Empire; of its Temples, Palaces, Castles, and other buildings; of its Metals, Minerals, Trees, plants, Animals, Birds and Fishes ... together with a description of the Kingdom of Siam ... with a life of the author. London: for the publisher, 1728. 2 volumes and 2 appendices in 1, 2 (34.5 x 22.2cm.). Engraved additional title, letterpress titles printed in red and black, 44 (of 45) engraved plates, plans, and maps, mostly double-page or folding, including large folding Map of Japan in vol. I, list of subscribers. (Lacking plate 42, first gathering disbound.) Later calf (covers detached, extremities rubbed). Provenance: George Thackeray (armorial bookplate). FIRST EDITION. Kaempfer's work was essential to any student of
Japan for well over a century following after its first publication
between 1727 and 1728. Such was the success of the work that a second
edition followed immediately in 1728, of which the present copy is an
example. Kaempfer was in Japan from September 1690 to October 1692 as a physician in the employ of the Dutch East India Company. After his
death in 1716 his papers were purchased by Sir Hans Sloane, who arranged for J.G. Scheuchzer to translate them from German into English. Kaempfer's collecting of information was as encyclopaedic as it was discriminating. The History of Japan contains 'the first biography of Kaempfer, an account of his journey, a history and description of Japan and its fauna, a description of Nagasaki and Deshima; a report on two embassies to Edo with a description of the cities which were visited on the way; and six appendices, on tea, Japanese paper, acupuncture, moxa, amergis, and Japan's seclusion policy.' (DSB vol. 7, p. 205). Cordier Japonica 413; Nissen BBI 1019.