FIRST EUROPEAN ATTEMPT AT A COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF ARABIA

NIEBUHR, CARSTEN.

Reisebeschreibung nach Arabien und andern umliegenden Ländern. Erster- (Zweyter) Band. 2 vols.

Kopenhagen, Nicolaus Möller, 1774-78.

4to. Bound in 2 contemporary similar but not uniform half calf bindings. Vol. 2 with gilt lettering to spine and having slightly wider margins compared to vol. 1. Wear to extremities of both volumes and hindges weak. Stamp and previous owners names to half titles. Stamp to verso of plates. Vol. 1 split in innner margin in a few places. A few occassional brownspots and first few leaves in both volumes with light dampstaining, but generally internally fine. XVI, (6), 501, (1);(16),479 pp. 1 large folded map, "Tabula Iteneraria... Terrae Yemen... 1763." and 124 engraved maps and plates (complete). 

First edition of Niebuhr's great travel account of Arabia being a testament to one of the most significant and captivating exploratory journeys of the 18th century. Through meticulous mapping, cultural documentation, and scientific observations, Niebuhr's travelogue provided invaluable insights into Arabia, expanding geographic knowledge and influencing the field of Orientalism.Like his "Beschribung von Arabien", his "Reisebeschreibung von Arabien" "provided a mass of new geographical, regional, and historical information... Among is many exact maps and plans, the map of the Red Sea and of Yemen served as the most reliable information for more than 50 years."

"Despite its tragic course, the expedition was a complete success with regard to its scientific and scholarly results. It was especially due to Niebuhr's efforts to preserve and continue his and his collegues' , that the Royal Danish Library was eventually equipped with a host of oriental manuscripts, maps, and drawings, as well as many botanical and zoological specimens... It was Niebuhr who edited and published Forskåll's Flora Aegyptiaco-Arabica (1775) and Descriptiones Animalium (1775), together with the drawings of Bauerfeind. In 1772 he had alredy published his systematic and geographically organized beschreibung von Arabien, which was followed between 1774 and 1778 by the first two volume of his three-volume chronologically arranged Reisebeschreibung nach Arabien. (the item offered, the third volume was published many years later, 1837). Both works, written in a clear and sober language and illustrated with numerous precise drawings, maps, and plans, provided a mass of new geographical, regional, and historical information... Among is many exact maps and plans, the map of the Red Sea and of Yemen served as the most reliable information for more than 50 years."(Josef Wiesehöfer).

Order-nr.: 60446