Account of a Voyage of Discovery to the West Coast of Corea, and the Great Loo-Choo Island;

£2,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

One of the first descriptions of Korea by a European containing several hand-coloured plates depicting Korean costumes and outfits. This expedition formed part of the Amherst Embassy and explored the relatively little known East China Sea and the Yellow Sea. Visits were made to Korea and the Ryukyu Archipelago. Korea had been sketchily explored by Europeans, but it was not until the Alceste and Lyra expeditions that detailed information was obtained about the Ryukyus. The Appendix contains Vocabulary of the Language spoken at the Great Loo-Choo Island, in the Japan Sea by Herbert John Clifford. First edition; 4to (28.5 x 22.5 cm); 9 aquatint plates including frontispiece, 8 of which hand-coloured, 1 line engraved plate, 5 engraved maps, contemporary ownership inscription to title; contemporary full speckled calf, gilt spine in six compartments with gilt red morocco lettering piece, all edges marbled, a near-fine copy; xvi, 222, cxxx, [72], [1]pp.

• Binding: Hardcover

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