Les Hindous, ou, Description de leurs moeurs, coutumes et ceremonies
Paris: L'auteur, H. Nicolle (impr. des freres Mame), 1808-1812.
First edition. Complete in four volumes, including all 288 colored plates, four frontispieces, and half titles. Bound in contemporary boards, sympathetically rebacked recently with gilt stamping, morocco labels, touch-ups to corners. Large folios, measuring 17.5" x 23" x 2", with wide margins. Text in French and English. Near Fine, sturdily bound and contents generally bright. Former owner's bookplates to paste downs as well as non-circulating library bookplates and deaccession stamps; limited perforation to margins of around three to four pages per volumes (always in margins of plates when applicable), small ink numbers written on first page of text. Limited foxing. Tissue guards present in Vol. I only, occasionally creased and foxed. Two plates in Vol. I have heavy foxing. A few tiny wormholes to last few dozen pages of Vol. II, mostly marginal.
A lavishly illustrated look at India by a Flemish author and artist: its people, their customs, and the subcontinent's flora and fauna. The first volume is devoted to professions; the second to dance, music and customs; the third volume depicts transportation, smoking, and entertainment, and the fourth looks at native flora and fauna. Each plate is accompanied by French text, as well as an English translation by Solvyns' wife, Mary Anne Greenwood. One of the first books printed in color, supplemented by hand coloring. This copy is uncommon for having every single one of its prized plates.
Price: $45,000.00