- 1000
Parsons, Abraham
Estimate
1,500 - 2,500 GBP
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Description
- Travels in Asia and Africa; including a journey from Scanderoon to Aleppo, and over the desert to Bagdad and Bussora; a voyage from Bussora to Bombay, and along the western coast of India; a voyage from Bombay to Mocha and Suez in the Red Sea; and a journey from Suez to Cairo and Rosetta, in Egypt. London: for Longman, Hurst, [&c.], 1808
- paper
FIRST EDITION, 4to (265 x 206mm.), vi, 346pp., 2 tinted aquatint plates, contemporary pale calf, flat raised bands, black morocco label, plates slightly offset
Provenance
Herbert Fitzroy Eaton (d.1875) of Stetchworth, Cambridgeshire, armorial bookplate
Literature
Abbey, Travel 348; Atabey 927; Hilmy II, p.94
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
The author trained in the merchant navy after which he set up business in Bristol. In 1767 he was appointed by the 'Turkey Company' as consul and commercial agent at Scanderoon (Iskenerdun). After six years he left Scanderoon and travelled extensively in Syria and Mesopotamia, during which time he visited India and returned by the Red Sea and Cairo. His detailed journal includes accounts of the merchants and commerce of each place, including Mocha and Jedda and the importance of the latter as the port for Mecca, as well as the various trade routes for merchandise to and from Cyprus, Syria, Palestine and Egypt via Damiata. Whilst in Cairo Parsons experienced the day of the grand procession of pilgrims bound for Mecca, and the procession, which lasted almost a whole day is recounted in great detail (pp.324-336).
Abbey, probably copying Roehricht, states there is an earlier edition of this work, dated 1802. However there is no known copy, and the preface to this edition, which is dated April 1808, clearly precludes this possibility.