This is the complete, two-volume set of possibly the best account of Egypt and Ottoman Syria at the end of the 18th century. Constantin-François Chassebœuf de La Giraudais, Count Volney, known as Volney (1757-1820), was a French philosopher and orientalist who traveled through the Middle East from 1782-85. Upon his return to France, he compiled his notes and wrote this work on his voyage, focusing on political commentary, commercial interests, geographical details, and information on the inhabitants. His work includes five folding plates, featuring maps of Egypt and Syria, views of the ruins at Baalbek and Palmyra, and a plan of the temples at Baalbek. Two volumes, 12mo.; 383 pp.; 458 pp; 5 folding plates. Hardbound in full contemporary leather with raised bands, gilt tooling and black and red leather title labels on spine.

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Condition: A

Plates and text are clean and crisp. The view of Palmyra has a few spots of foxing. The bindings are sound and the covers are lightly worn with minor abrasions and bumped corners. A lovely set.