Lot 1102
1102
ASIA -- KAEMPFER, E. Amœnitatum exoticarum politico-physico-medicarum fasciculi V, quibus continentur variae relationes, observationes & descriptiones rerum persicarum & ulterioris Asiae. Lemgo, H.W. Meyer, 1712. 5 parts in 1 vol. (20), 912, (32) pp. W. engr. front., title printed in red and black w. engr. vign., 16 fold. engr. plates (incl. one map), 62 engrs. (55 full-p.) and 12 woodcuts in text (8 full-p.). 4°. Cont. cf. w. raised bands. (Bind. a bit rubbed/chafed, label gone, engr. armorial dedication leaf not inserted (as usual), some small tears as well as some wrinkling to fold. plates, some tiny marg. wormholes, sl. yellowed).
First edition of Kaempfer's wide-ranging work which includes an important botanical catalogue of Japanese flora. Fasciculus V contains descriptions and illustrations of nearly 500 plants listed under their Japanese names, with some, such as the Camellia, presented to Western eyes for the first time. Kaempfer, a Swedish physician and diplomat, visited Persia in 1684 as part of the Swedish embassy to the Shah, and went on to visit Japan in 1690-92 as part of the Dutch East India Company. This work shows his keen interest in Japan, Persia and its adjacent countries. His fascinating and curious observations encompass aspects of medicine, natural history and architecture, and include remarks on tobacco, acupunture, coronation ceremonies, ancient monuments and a section devoted to the date-bearing palm.Landwehr, VOC, 529; Alt-Japan-Kat. 699; Cordier p. 411-12; Nissen BBI 1018; Pritzel 4564; Hunt 427; Wellcome III p. 376; G-M 4047 note. - From the library of Van der Hoeven and with his bookplate and signature.€ 4000
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