Ceylon.

£1,250 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

The scarce first edition of this classic survey of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), as the work went through five editions in eight months it is not common to find a first edition in such condition. Sir James Emerson Tennent lived in Ceylon from 1845-1850 and was appointed Colonial Secretary. Chapters include: geography, geology, zoology, malaria, history, science, agriculture and food, shipping, music and painting, infrastructure, Indian and Arabian influence, culture of the different cities, and a whole section on Elephants. First edition; 2 vols, 8vo (23 x 15.5 cm); wood-engraved frontispieces, 4 engraved maps with 3 more in text, 17 in-text plans and charts, 90 in-text wood engravings, largely unopened, armorial bookplates to pastedowns, discreet bookbinders ticket to rear pastedown of vol 1; publisher's original green cloth with gilt vignettes to upper boards, gilt lettering to spines, touch of mottling to lower board of vol 2, else a fine copy; xxxv, 619, 24 (ads.); xvi, 655 pp.

• Binding: Hardcover

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