The Elements of Modern Geography and General History; on a plan entirely new: Containing an Accurate and Interesting Description of all the Countries, States, &c, in the Known World; with the Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants; to which are added Historical Notices of each Country to the present time, and questions for examination. The whole illustrated by numerous correct maps and engravings.
London: printed for Pinnock & Maunder, 1820. First edition. Hardcover. xii, 435pp, [2]; with, as called for, the 9 foldout maps, 12 plates of views and costumes, and 4 plates on the construction of maps. Two of the costume plates have benefited from a little careful watercolouring. With foxing to the plates and maps, and occasional toning to the text, but no physical damage to the pages, maps or plates. The front free endpaper bears a roughly-stamped crest of plumes with the name 'Francis Dugdale Astley' (1805-1873), who later inherited the baronetcy of Everley - presumably the book's first owner. The author has attempted to bring together the disparate facts of geography, which he found so poorly presented in other such works, into a more congenial and intelligible whole, incorporating characterisations of the various peoples, and much history. It reads well, with numbered bites or paragraphs of information providing an engaging glimpse into the received views, understanding, and nomenclature of two centuries ago. Each section is followed by a series of questions to check the student's comprehension. 12mo (18x10cms), refurbished, with new pastedowns to match the original free endpapers, in a new binding of brown calf with gilt rules to the spine and a black lettering-piece. Only four copies - all later editions - are listed on WorldCat: the V&A has a revised reprint from 1827, the British Library has one from 1834, and the Newberry Library in Chicago has a copy of each of these. With three editions, many copies must have been printed: it seems likely that so few have survived because it suffered heavy use due to its success as a text book over several decades. Extremely scarce: a good and complete copy of the first printing. Very Good. Item #18201030
Price: £850.00