Lot 08138

POUQUEVILLE F.: “Voyage dans la Grece, comprenant la description ancienne et modern de l Epire,de l Illyrie grecque,de la Macedoine…de la Thessalie de l Acarnanie….”, Paris: chez Firmin Didot et Fills, 1820-1.

First edition. Complete in five (5) volumes, in 8vo, pp. [iii] xlvii,510+[1]; [iii] 624+[1]; [iii] 576+[1]; [iii] 462+[1], [vi]+[3 advertsimsent] 630. With 5 frontispieces (4 lithographed and one engraved), 4 folding maps and one engraved map in the text. Tomes 1-3 and 5 bound in half leather, with richly embossed and gilt spines, slightly rubbed; thick carton boards slightly worn on extremities; marbled endpapers and edges; internally very light scattered spotting, otherwise clean and fine. Tome 4 (same edition) comes with different half leather binding, undecorated spine, raised bands, green carton boards, light wear; semi-detached spine inside, uncut pages, scattered spotting; title page partly cut on lower part. Overall a very good set.

An important contemporary study on modern Greece. This work was re-issued in 1826, much augmented and corrected. This is Pouquevilles second work on Greece; it contains an account of his experiences of Greek life as French consul in Ioannina and Patras (1805-1817), during when he had the opportunity to travel widely in Greece at the eve of revolution and to gather invaluable information. He travels extensively through Macedonia; Epirus and Thessaly had not previously published, as Morea and some islands tour had been edited in early 19th century. A really impressive Greek travelogue. Contominas Collection 578, Atabey 990, Blackmer 1346 (2nd ed.).