A Collection of Curious Travels and Voyages, in two tomes; the first containing Leonhart Rauwolff's Itinerary into the Eastern countries. The second taking in many parts of Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt, Arabia Felix etc. To which are added three catalogues de Ray, John - 1693

Princes Arms, St Paul's Churchyard, London: S. Smith & B. Walford, 1693. First edition. Two volumes in One. Octavo, imprimatur leaf, title page, dedication page, pp 26, 396; (ii), half-title to second volume, 186; 45, + bookseller's catalogue 3 pages (the last page torn and repaired without loss. Fairly heavy browning and foxing on some pages throughout, contemporary panelled calf, rubbed and scuffed, corners worn, rebacked at some time with a new calf spine, raised bands, en extract from a bookseller's catalogue for this copy attached with sellotape to the rear endpaper. The front endpaper contains the armorial bookplate of Sir Edward William Watkin [1819-1901], Member of Parliament and railway entrepreneur; also with the signature of W. Fletcher, Grappenhall Cheshire.]. [John Ray was the compiler of these important travels. It is the first English translation of the Rauwolf, who was a German physician, botanist, and traveller. His main notability arises from a trip he made through the Levant and Mesopotamia in 1573-75. The motive of the trip was to search for herbal medicine supplies. Shortly after he returned, he published a set of new botanical descriptions with an herbarium. Later he published a general travel narrative about his visit. In addition to botanical investigations, Rauwolff observed and recorded his impressions of the people, customs, and sights of the Levantine region; he was one of the first Europeans to describe the drinking of coffee.]. First Edition. Full-Leather. Good.