THE MOST GRANDIOSE WORK IN DANISH BOOKPRODUCTION

NORDEN, F.L. (FREDERIK LUDVIG). - THE MOST GRANDIOSE WORK IN DANISH BOOKPRODUCTION.

Voyage d'Egypte et de Nubie, par mr. Frederic Louïs Norden, capitaine des Vaisseaux du Roi. Ouvrage enrichie de Cartes & De Figures dessinées sur les lieux, par l'Auteur même. 2 Vols. (Text and Plates)

Copenhague, l'Imprimerie de la maison Royale des Orphelins, 1755.

Folio. (46 x 30,5 cm.). Bound in 2 fine contemp. full sprinckled calf. Gilt triple filets on covers. Seven raised bands. Richly gilt compartments. Gilt lettering on spines. Gilt fillet on edges of covers. Red edges. Some repairs at hinges and spine ends, done so it is barely noticed. Engraved portrait, engraved frontispiece. (40),288 pp. and 159 engraved maps, plates and views. A small embossed stamp on top of title-page "Det Lerchenborgske Bibliothek". A small brownspot on pp. 204-5. Otherwise clean and fine with wide margins. Printed on thick paper.

Scarce first edition, only published in 200 copies by The Danish Royal Society. This splendid work communicated the results of the remarkable Egypt-expedition undertaken in 1737-38. It is the most extensive description of Egypt's monuments, ruins, temples etc. since the times of Herodotus, as there had been only few travellers or written descriptions since classical times. An anecdote tells that Napoleon, before his expedition to Egypt, pointed to these two folio-volumes in order to encourage his staff of scientists and artists. The plates are excellent in their detail and execution, engraved by the skillful artist and engraver Marcus Tuscher in collaboration with the author, who died before the work went to press. They depict landscapes, monuments, ruins etc., as well as maps. The fine portrait of Norden is engraved by J.M. Preisler.

Order-nr.: 54303