Kirkpatrick, William | One of the earliest English accounts of Nepal

Kirkpatrick, William

An Account of the Kingdom of Nepaul … . London: William Miller, 1811

4to (285 x 228 mm). Title with engraved vignette, folding engraved map and 14 plates, one of which handcolored; lacking half-title and advertisements, short closed tear to margin of map, minor offsetting and foxing, a few pages very faintly browned. Mid-nineteenth century half calf and marbled paper-covered boards, spine with semi-raised bands in six compartments, second with red leather letting piece; extremities rubbed with some minor loss. 

First edition of one of the earliest English accounts of Nepal. British officer William Kirkpatrick was sent to Nepal in 1793 by Lord Cornwallis in order to try and mediate between the Chinese and the Gurkhas. Kirkpatrick spent only seven weeks in Nepal, but the present work represents one of the earliest English accounts of the country.

REFERENCE

Yakushi (1994) K214a

PROVENANCE

Sir George Strickland, Bart. (bookplate to front pastedown)