NIEBUHR, CARSTEN.
Reisebeschreibung nach Arabien und andern umliegenden Ländern.
Kopenhagen, Möller, 1774-78.
4to. 2 vols. A well-preserved copy with wide margins, printed on strong paper with red edges, bound in contemporary full marbled leather, richly gilt on the spines. With two engraved vignettes, 124 copperplates (partly folded or double), and one large folded map. XVI, (6), 505; (16), 479 pp.
First edition. This pioneering work by the Danish orientalist Carsten Niebuhr (1733–1815) remains one of the most important sources of knowledge on Arabia. It includes views, portraits of local people, scenes from daily life, as well as depictions of antiquities, Egyptian hieroglyphs, Syrian cuneiform inscriptions, idols, and more. Of the five scientists sent by the Danish government on the expedition, initiated by J. H. E. Bernstorff, Niebuhr was the sole survivor to return to Denmark; the other four perished during the journey. The title vignettes were engraved by J. F. Clemens after drawings by Wiedewelt. Most of the engravings were based on drawings by Baurenfeind, who died during the expedition, while others were drawn by Niebuhr himself. The plates were engraved by Clemens, the Haas brothers, C. Defehrt, C. Martin, and others. Birkelund 141.
Order-nr.: 62083
DKK 25.000,00