Thomas Shaw - Travels, or Observations Relating to Several Parts of Barbary and the Levant - 1738

First edition 1738. Folio. "Contains the best description of North Africa of the period. " Full-calf with double gilt border and dentelles. Gilt raised bands and gilt morocco title to spine. Coloured page blocks. Some age related wear to covers. Bookplate on inside cover. Dedication page. Title vignette. In-text illustrations. Large fold-out plans. First part. Geographical Observations. xv, [1] , 442 pages. Second part. Collection of Such Papers as Serve to Illustrate the Foregoing Observations 61 pages. Index. 8 pages. 11 engraved maps and plans [ 3 double page, 6 fold-out, and 2 single page.] 21 single page engraved plates. 1 single page sheet music. All plates present. ''These Travels have been universally esteemed, not only for their accuracy and fidelity, but on account of the illustrations they contain of natural history, of the classic authors, and especially of the Scriptures. '' A handsomely printed work, the best description of North Africa of the period. The author visited Egypt, Sinai, Palestine, Cyprus and most of North Africa, and provides much material on Tunis and Algeria. A section on Lebanon is included in the description of the Levant. More than 640 species of plants are described. There is also a list of the rarer plants of Barbary, Egypt and Arabia, [Lowndes 2372] . " Shipped and insured [standard liability] by recorded delivery. N. B. Island destinations/remote areas may incur additional shipping costs to be advised by the seller.