A. De La Motraye's Travels Through Europe, Asia, and into Part of Africa; With Proper Cutts and Maps. Containing A great Variety of Geographical, Topographical, and Political Observations on those Parts of the World; especially on Italy, Turky, Greece, Crim and Noghaian Tartaries, Circassia, Sweden, and Lapland. A curious Collection of Things particularly Rare, both in Nature and Antiquity; such as Remains of antient Cities and Colonies, Inscriptions, Idols, Medals, Minerals, &c. With An Historical Account of the most considerable Events which happen'd during the Space of above 25 Years; such as a great Revolution in the Turkish Empire, by which the Emperor was depos'd; the Engaging of the Russian and Turkish Armies on the Banks of the Pruth; the late King of Sweden's Reception and Entertainment at Bender; his Transactions with the Porte, during his Stay of above four Years in Turky; his Return into his Dominions, Campaigns in Norway, Death, &c. His Sister, the Princess Ulrica's Accession to the Throne, her generous Resignation of it to her Consort the present King; and, in fine, all the chief Transactions of the Senate and States of Sweden, &c. Vol. I. (II.)
[Travels through Europe, Asia, and into part of Africa]
Imprint
London:: Printed for the Author,, in the Year M DCC XXIII.
Physical Description
2 vols.; 345 mm. (Quarto).
General Note
Vol. I: [8], 440, [8] p., 24 [i.e. 26], [4] pl. (14 dble, 6 dble. and fold.). There is an unnumbered plate between pl. VI and pl. 7; there are bis pl. 7. The last four, unnumbered pl. are maps. - Vol. II: 432, 72 p., pl. 25-39 [i.e. 16 pl.] (7 dble). There is a bis pl. 26. Plates 32 and 33 are numbered 33 and 33 no. 2. Five of the pl. are maps or plans.
Contents
[Privil., t.p., dedic. pl. I] - The Introduction - [Text] - Appendix - A Table and Explanation of the Prints contained in the first Volume [listing prints 1-7, 7A-24] - Contents Of The Chapters in the First Volume; Contents Of The Appendix - Extract of a Memorial to the King of France, omitted in Page 408 - Errata - The Names Of The Persons Who Have Subscribed to this Work - [Plates 2-24, [4]]. - Vol. II: [T.p.] - [Text] - Appendix To the Second Volume - Contents To The Second Volume - Errata omitted in the First Volume; Errata to the Second Volume - [Plates].
Responsibility Note
Most plates are unsigned by a draughtsman, but four plates in Volume I are signed as drawn by F. Bartoli, Ios. Grisoni or Adolphus Gaab. Most plates carry the names of engravers - R. Smith, G. Vertue, W. Hogarth, Dockley, D. Lockley, Sartor, W. Nutting, S. Parker.
The work is dedicated by the author to the King (George I).
References
On the Hogarth engravings see R. Paulson, Hogarth's Graphic Works (3rd. ed., 1989), nos. 28-42, p.43-46.
ESTC, T146753
Summary Note
This is the first edition of this work. It was translated from a French manuscript. In 1732 La Mottraye published his own English translation; and in that year added a third volume, describing his travels in Prussia, Russia and Poland.
The plates in Volume I show Christian liturgical vessels and vestments, buildings in Constantinople and Tripoli and Turkish customs; the four maps are of the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas and Scandinavia. The plates of Volume II chiefly relate to Swedish military campaigns; but there are two plates of ancient coins and a double plate (pl. 38) showing family life in Lapland, with a tent and reindeer on a frozen lake.
Reproductions
An electronic reproduction was published in 2003 (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale). A microfilm version was published in 1986 (Woodbridge CT: Research Publications).
Provenance
Acquired between 1769 and 1802. Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1802.
Binding Note
18th-century half calf, marbled-papered boards; rebacked and recornered in 20th century, brown morocco spine labels lettered 'A. De La Motraye's Travels Vol. I. (II.)'.
Europe - Italy - Greece - Russia - Sweden - Lapland - Asia - Middle East - Turkey - Africa - Description and travel - Social life and customs - Costume - Clothing and dress - Maps - History - 17th century - 18th century
Travel literature - Great Britain - 18th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 18th century