‎FORBES James:‎
‎Oriental Memoirs: selected and abridged from a series of familiar letters written during seventeen years residence in India: including observations on parts of Africa and South America.‎

‎London, Printed for the Author by T. Bensley, Published by White, Cochrane, and Co., 1813. 4 volumes grand in-4 de [4]-XXIII-[1]-481-[3]; XV-[1]-542-[2]; XII-487-[1]; XI-[1]-425-[3] pages, plein maroquin rouge à grain, dos très richement ornés, pièces de titre olive,de tomaison verte et pastille jaune, très large roulette dorée encadrant les plats, triple filet doré sur les coupes et intérieur, tranches dorés. Reliures signées J. Mackenzie.‎

Reference : 21205

‎Illustré d'un portrait gravé de l'auteur, de 94 planches en noir (91 gravures et 3 lithographies) et 27 planches en couleurs (24 gravures et 3 lithographies). First edition. Copy in perfect condition without a shadow of foxing, and covered with a very elegant binding. Simply sublime.As a writer for the British East India Company, James Forbes first travelled to India in 1765, and remained there until 1784. Fascinated by Indian life, as well the country's flora, fauna, and striking architecture, he reputedly filled 52,000 manuscript pages with his notes. In 1781 he visited the Taj Mahal, and became one of the first Europeans to draw it. After returning to England and marrying, Forbes toured continental Europe extensively, until he returned to England once more to write Oriental Memoirs.Abbey, Travel 436; Anker 148; Fine Bird Books 75; Nissen, ZBI 1409; Wood 345. ‎