An Account of an Embassy to the Kingdom of Ava,

£2,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

Handsomely bound copy of one of the earliest detailed accounts of Burma written in English. Symes joined the Bengal Army of the East India Company in 1780, rising rapidly to captain. In 1795 John Shore, the Governor-General sent Symes to the court of King Bodawpaya of Burma to ascertain the extent of French influence there. This turned out to be quite limited and Symes was able to make some commercial agreements which resulted in his mission being considered a great success. The book is notable for containing a survey of the lower River Irrawaddy, and the first reliable chart of it. From the library of Capt. / Lieut. Col. Charles Tottenham (1835-1918) who served in the Crimean War before being elected as MP for New Ross. First edition; 4to (30 x 24 cm); 2 large engraved folding maps by Walker after Dalrymple and Woods, 26 engraved plates by Medland, Vincent, and MacKenzie after Singey Bey and others, small tear to hinge of larger folding map, armorial bookplate to pastedown; contemporary full speckled calf, gilt roll to board borders, edges, and turn-ins, flat gilt spine with gilt black morocco lettering piece, marbled boards, small start to upper hinge, a very good copy; xxiii, [i], 503, [i] pp. Cox I, 309.

• Binding: Hardcover

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