New History of Ethiopia by Ludolphus (4 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Good to Very Good. 2nd Edition. [38], 88pp, 151-370pp, 375-398pp, text is continuous despite gaps in paging, printed on laid paper, bound in full embossed leather, raised bands on spine, spine labels intact [no chips], all edges stained red, marbled endpapers, binding tight, front hinge starting to split, but still holding. Includes one double page fold-out map, four double page illustrations, three double page folding illustrations, one double page Genealogic Table, and one full page illustration, along with an Ethiopic Alphabet, and flourishd initials. Covers in Good Condition due to the front hinge starting and some peeling to the leather. The Interior is in Very Good Condition, with occasional foxing. Copper plate etchings, side notes, includes the double page plate of the Capuchin priests being beheaded [an autonomous branch of the first Franciscan order of religious men]. From the personal collection of Dr. Brooks Ryder (1918-1995), graduate of Harvard College, Harvard School of Public Health, and Tufts Medical School. Known for his Public Health expertise overseas, throughout East Africa and Indonesia.

[36] 88; 151-370; 375-398; pagination irregular but text complete. 8 engraved plates plus Ethiopic Alphabet, which replaces the map in some copies;( i.e., no map in this copy). Folio, old full paneled calf; gilt spine; front cover detached and rear joint cracked. First edition. Front cover and front free endpaper detached; rear joint cracked; A few short tears to corners of folding plates; some small losses to the leather; contents attractive.

Leather-bound. Condition: Good Plus. Second Edition. Full brown panel calf, (13 1/4 in. x 8 3/4 in.)with inner panels bordered in blind, and leading edge in gilt roll. Rebacked in smooth calf, with five raised bands (six compartments), and two contrasting spine labels of burgundy lettered in gilt (one the title ("History of Ethiopia") and the second erroneously labeled (as-if author) "Prester/John." Publication date blind-stamped to bottom compartment. Considerable scuffing to both boards, and rubbing to extremities but (now) quite sturdily bound. Replacement (with rebacking, we presume) endpapers, front and rear. Textblock lightly age-tanned but pages clear, large readable type, wide margins, and the thick, laid paper, quite supple.[38], 88 pp, 151-370pp, 375-398. Eight foldouts, seven of which are illustrations One single-page copper plate illustration. A single page chart of the Ethiopic language and a foldout "Genealogic Table of The Kings of Habessinia Missing large folding map, quite often the case with this title. Pagination is occasionally irregular, text divided into four books and complete. Wherein are contained: I. An account of the Nature, Quality and Condition of the Country, and Inhabitants; their Mountains, Metals and Minerals; their Rivers (particularly of the source. of the Nile and Niger;) their Birds, Beasts, Amphibious Animals (as the River Horse and Crocodile;) Serpents, &c. II. Their Political Government; the Genealogy and Succession of their Kings; a Description of their Court, and Camp; their Power and Military Discipline; their Courts of Justice, &c. III. Their Ecclesiastical Affairs; their Conversion to the Christian Religion, and the Propagation thereof, their Sacred Writings, their Sacraments, Rites, Ceremonies, and Church Discipline; the decrease of the Romish Religion, their Contentions with the Jesuits, their Separation from the Greek Church, etc. IV. Their private Oeconomy, their Books and Learning; their common Names, their Diet, Marriages, and Polygamies; their Mechanick Arts and Trades; their Burials, their Merchandize and Commerce, &c.

Being a Full and Accurate Description of the Kingdom of Abessinia, Vulgarly, though Erroneously called The Empire of Prester John. In Four Books. First edition in English. Engraved alphabet, table & 8 engraved folding plates. Folio. Contemporary calf, worn, chafed and spotted. Some light damp staining to early pages. [viii], 398pp. London, Samuel Smith, Ludolphus was a German scholar who did much to try and improve relations between Abyssinia and Europe. A valuable overview of the literature and natural history of the country, the work provided Samuel Johnson with much of the Abyssinian background he used in writing Rasselas. This first edition does not call for or contain the map published in the 2nd edition of 1684. Wing, L3468.