17 years in late 18th-century China

Heading:
Author: Guignes, Joseph de
Title: Voyages a Peking, Manille et l'Ile de France, faits dans l'intervalle des années 1784 a 1801
Place Published: Paris
Publisher:De l'Imprimerie Impériale
Date Published: 1808
Description:

3 volumes. [2], lxiii, [1], 439; [2],476; [2],488 pp. (8vo) 19.5x12 cm (7¾x4¾"), 19th century full mottled calf, spines tooled in gilt, raised, morocco lettering pieces, gilt inner dentelles. First Edition.

Travels through the East by the French merchant-trader, ambassador and scholar. Born in Paris, he was the son of French academician and Sinologue, Joseph de Guignes. He learned Chinese from his father, and then traveled to China where he stayed for the next 17 years and returned to France in 1801. There was an atlas volume to the work, not present here.
Condition Report: Joints rubbed and tender, one cracked, corners just showing; some light foxing within, armorial bookplates; very good.