CAILLOT, Antoine Curiosités naturelles, historiques... Lot 1011

CAILLOT, Antoine Curiosités naturelles, historiques et morales de l'Empire de la Chine, ou Choix des traits les plus intéressans de l'histoire de ce pays, et des relations des voyageurs qui l'ont visité. For the use of young people. Decorated with 12 intaglio figures. Paris Ledentu (by J.-B. Imbert) 1818 2 vols, 12mo; 2 front. and 10 pl. (text n.c., occ. foxing, some marg. tears in begin. of vol. I and in p. ix part. strengthened, lower corner of p. 23 and pl. p. 149 in vol. I missing, sm. marg. damp stain at end of vol. II). Contemp. mottled sheep, gilt-ruled covers, gilt-orn. flat spines, marbled edges matching endpapers (spines faded, scratching, lower joint of vol. I part. split, most corners bumped). First edition of a work on China written for young people by Caillot (1759-c. 1839), teacher, bookseller and freemason. He had left priesthood after the ecclesiastical oath was repealed and escaped death during the reign of Terror. Illustrated with 12 plates. Ref. Cordier, Sinica, 47. Prov. Contemp. ms. entry.