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an open book with a map on it sitting on top of a tablean old book with a brown leather cover and a gold leafed cover
Jeschke Jádi Auctions Berlin

Estimate €300 - €450
Sale commission
Description
China Comte, Louis le Memoirs and Observations Topographical, Physical, Mathematical, Mechanical, Natural, Civil and Ecclesiastical. Made during a recent journey through the Empire of China. And published in several letters. With frontispiece, 4 (3 folded) plates and 1 folded map. London, Tooke, 1698. 10 leaves, 517 pp., 5 leaves (late). Half leather with gilt title (slightly rubbed, front cover broken off). 2nd English edition. – De Backer/Sommervogel II, 1356 – Lowndes p. 1330 – ‘The best account of China prior to Dunhald’s work, though in many details extremely biased in favour of the Chinese’ (Lowndes, p. 1330), in which Chinese ceramics and lacquerware, silk and other manufactured goods, pearl fishing, descriptions of cities and public buildings, the language, customs and trade, ways of life and much more are highlighted. - Inner fold reinforced, note on endpaper, throughout browned, title page and some leaves more heavily so, plates partly with small marginal tears. 2nd English edition. Bound in three-quarter reddish-brown leather over marbled boards with gilt lettering and blind-stamped tooling on the spine, raised bands (front cover broken off). Marbled endpapers. Illustrated with four plates of engravings depicting the Chinese Emperor, his throne, the observatory in Peking, the Outom-Chu tree and an in-text engraving of the Isle of Sanciam. Contains a hand-coloured folding map of China and a folding plate of Chinese words. Contains a ten-page index at the back. – Reinforced inner fold; note on the endpaper; browned throughout; the title page and some leaves are more heavily browned; the plates have small tears along the margins in some places.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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