Voyages de C.P, Thunberg au Japon, 2 volumes de Thunberg, C.P - 1796

Paris: Chelz Benoir Dandre, Garnery et Obre, 1796. Book. Illus. by frontispiece portrait of the author, and 28 copper engraved plates. Near Fine. Full-Leather. 1st Edition. 4to - over 9¾ - 12" tall. Very nice full tree calf, the original binding with professionally repaired corners and top edges of both spines. Red title labels with gilt titles on the spines. Marbled endpapers, with hinges tight and all plates present as called for. Light and occasional foxing in both volumes. The first Swedish edition was 1788 in a smaller format; this is the next edition and has the largest illustrations. The English edition followed, also 8 vo. in size. The volumes cover travel from 1770 to 1779. Thunberg was student of the great Swedish naturalist, Linnaeus. He set out to explore Japan and its flora and fauna. He spent several years learning Dutch so he could join a Dutch trading station, as the Dutch were the only foreigners permitted to reside in a few trading factories on the shores of Japan at that time. An handsome set, in unusually nice condition. The French also put out an 8 vo. edition which is more common than this larger format. See Cordier 447 and Brunet V, p 850. Pages xlii, 510 and viii, 544. .