Navigantium atque itinerantium bibliotheca Or, a complete collection of voyages and travels. Consisting of above six hundred of the most authentic writers, beginning with Hackluit, Purchass, &c. in English; Ramusio, Alamandini, Carreri, &c. in Italian; Thevenot, Renaudot, Labat, &c. in French; De Brye, Grynaeus, Maffeus, &c. in Latin; Herrera, Oviedo, Coreal, &c. in Spanish; and the voyages under the direction of of the East-India Company in Holland, in Dutch. Together with such other histories, voyages, travels, or discoveries, as are in general esteem; whether published in English, Latin, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, High and Low Dutch, or in any other European Language. Containing whatever has been observed worthy of Notice in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America; in respect to the extent and situation of empires, kingdoms, provinces, &c. The climate, soil, produce, whether animal, vegetable, or mineral of each country: likewise the religion, manners, and customs of the several inhabitants, their government, arts and sciences, public buildings, mountains, rivers, harbours, &c. Illustrated by proper charts, maps, and cuts. To which is prefixed, a copious introduction, comprehending the rise and proress of the art of navigation, and its successive improvements; together with the invention and use of the loadstone and its variation. Originally published in two volumes in folio, by John Harris, D.D. and F.R.S. Now carefully revised, with large additions, and continued down to the present time; including particular accounts of the manufacture and commerce of each country.
Printed in the UK. T. Osborne, H. Whitridge, C. Bathurst, H. Woodfall, A. Miller, J. Fuller, B. Dod, J Hinton, J. Rivington, R. Baldwin, L. Hawes, W. Clarke, and R. Collins, W. Johnston, T. Longman, B. Law, C. Rivington, and G. Kearsly. 1764. Third edition. Leather over boards. Two volume set. Full leather (brown calfskin) over boards. Folio. Pagination: volume I -- [6], xvi, [4], 984 pp; volume II -- [frontispiece], [14], 1056, [21 index], [1 plate list] pp. Illustrated with 61 b/w engraved plates including 15 folding maps; vol. I plates 1-27 (5 fold-outs), vol. II plates 28-61 (10 fold-outs). The majority of the maps were created by Emanuel Bowen, reprinted from earlier editions, with new some new additions by Herman Moll, including a good map of America, and one showing the west and south coast of Australia with parts of Tasmania and New Zealand.
Uniform binding. Seven compartment spine with 6 raised ribs. Compartment 2 contains a red leather label with gilt short title and decorations, compartment 3 a black leather label with gilt volume number and decorations. Double line gilt border on the front and back boards. Black dentelle pattern along the edges. Head, foot, and fore edge stained red. Title page printed in black and red. Text printed in two columns. Text block condition: volume I -- mild brown toning appropriate for its age, minor foxing throughout, maps/plates are bright and undamaged, water stain in the bottom corner of the fore edge of the last leaf and back flyleaf; volume II -- mild brown toning appropriate for its age, minor foxing throughout, maps/plates are bright and undamaged, small hole in the S section of the index, and the plate list is creased with a 3 cm enclosed tear near the gutter. Binding condition: both volumes are rubbed and worn on the spine and boards. Bumped/frayed corners. Exposed board edges in places. Spines flaking slightly. The leather of the hinges is cracked, but the bands are still pliable. Binding is strong and square.
Provenance: this copy appears to have been in the possession of Sampson Eardley (Gideon), 1st Baron Eardley, FRS (1744-1824), banker and politician, based on the bookplates. Interestingly, this copy has two armorial bookplates, one pasted on top of the other: one from before Sampson changed his surname to Eardley and was made a baron in 1789, and one after with a baron coronet added to the crest. Sampson was made a baronet in 1759 at age 14 due to his father's lobbying. He served as a Tory MP in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1770 - 1802. Sampson's father, Sampson Gideon Sr., was a Jewish banker based in the City of London, though Sampson Jr. and his sisters were raised Christian like their mother.
Overall condition: Very good. This copy is bright, and complete. Care should be taken when handling due to the weight of the volume.
Ref: Sabin 30483; Brunet III, 49: "Collection Estimée." Very good. Item #67370
Price: $15,000.00