Braam Houckgeest, Andreas Everard van

FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes, 4to (255 x 200mm.), folding engraved map of China, folding plan of Macao, 10 plates (of 12, see footnote), contemporary half calf, spines gilt with red morocco labels, lacking 2 plates (Landwehr no.3 and 7), plates (notably plan and map) and second half vol.2 spotted, binding slightly rubbed

Cordier, Sinica II.2350 ("ouvrage rare"); Landwehr VOC 547; Löwendahl 700; not in Lust but cf. 502 (note)

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

RARE FIRST EDITION. "Born a Dutchman, Bram Houckgeest, who had settled in South Carolina in 1783 and, in due course, acquired citizenship of the newly formed United States of America, is often described as the first American to travel to Beijing and to be presented at the Imperial Court. [His] account of the embassy is of particular value for the detailed descriptions of many parts of China which had never before been visited by Europeans. The original manuscript was written in Dutch and translated and edited by Moreau de Saint-Méry, an émigré bookseller based for a few years in Philadelphia.

"Vol.1 ends abruptly with the entry of April 4th 1795; vol.2 continues with the narrative. Moreover it contains, among other things, descriptions of Canton (Guangzhou) and Macao, and numerous appendices with translations of the official documents relating to the embassy. The second edition in 8vo (2 volumes), published at Paris and Strasbourg (1798), reproduces only the text of the 1st Philadelphia volume. The subsequent translations... are all translations made from the Paris/Strasbourg edition" (Löwendahl). These octavo editions are by far the best known, and we can trace only one copy of this quarto Philadelphia edition at auction, in 2012, which was lacking 4 plates. It is quite possible that few copies contain all the plates (the copy in the Library of Congress has just 8).