A. De La Motraye's Travels Through Europe, Asia, and into Part of Africa; With Proper Cutts and Maps. Containing A great Variety of Geographical, Topographical, and Political Observations on those Parts of the World; especially on Italy, Turky, Greece, Crim and Noghaian Tartaries, Circassia, Sweden, and Lapland. A curious Collection of Things particularly Rare, both in Nature and Antiquity; such as Remains of antient Cities and Colonies, Inscriptions, Idols, Medals, Minerals, &c. With An Historical Account of the most considerable Events which happen'd during the Space of above 25 Years; such as a great Revolution in the Turkish Empire, by which the Emperor was depos'd; the Engaging of the Russian and Turkish Armies on the Banks of the Pruth; the late King of Sweden's Reception and Entertainment at Bender; his Transactions with the Porte, during his Stay of above four Years in Turky; his Return into his Dominions, Campaigns in Norway, Death, &c. His Sister, the Princess Ulrica's Accession to the Throne, her generous Resignation of it to her Consort the present King; and, in fine, all the chief Transactions of the Senate and States of Sweden, &c. Vol. I. (II.)

Aubry De La Mottraye

RA Collection: Book

Record number

03/2914

Author

Uniform Title

[Travels through Europe, Asia, and into part of Africa]

Imprint

London:: Printed for the Author,, in the Year M DCC XXIII.

Physical Description

2 vols.; 345 mm. (Quarto).

General Note

Vol. I: [8], 440, [8] p., 24 [i.e. 26], [4] pl. (14 dble, 6 dble. and fold.). There is an unnumbered plate between pl. VI and pl. 7; there are bis pl. 7. The last four, unnumbered pl. are maps. - Vol. II: 432, 72 p., pl. 25-39 [i.e. 16 pl.] (7 dble). There is a bis pl. 26. Plates 32 and 33 are numbered 33 and 33 no. 2. Five of the pl. are maps or plans.

Contents

[Privil., t.p., dedic. pl. I] - The Introduction - [Text] - Appendix - A Table and Explanation of the Prints contained in the first Volume [listing prints 1-7, 7A-24] - Contents Of The Chapters in the First Volume; Contents Of The Appendix - Extract of a Memorial to the King of France, omitted in Page 408 - Errata - The Names Of The Persons Who Have Subscribed to this Work - [Plates 2-24, [4]]. - Vol. II: [T.p.] - [Text] - Appendix To the Second Volume - Contents To The Second Volume - Errata omitted in the First Volume; Errata to the Second Volume - [Plates].

Responsibility Note

Most plates are unsigned by a draughtsman, but four plates in Volume I are signed as drawn by F. Bartoli, Ios. Grisoni or Adolphus Gaab. Most plates carry the names of engravers - R. Smith, G. Vertue, W. Hogarth, Dockley, D. Lockley, Sartor, W. Nutting, S. Parker.

The work is dedicated by the author to the King (George I).

References

On the Hogarth engravings see R. Paulson, Hogarth's Graphic Works (3rd. ed., 1989), nos. 28-42, p.43-46.
ESTC, T146753

Summary Note

This is the first edition of this work. It was translated from a French manuscript. In 1732 La Mottraye published his own English translation; and in that year added a third volume, describing his travels in Prussia, Russia and Poland.

The plates in Volume I show Christian liturgical vessels and vestments, buildings in Constantinople and Tripoli and Turkish customs; the four maps are of the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas and Scandinavia. The plates of Volume II chiefly relate to Swedish military campaigns; but there are two plates of ancient coins and a double plate (pl. 38) showing family life in Lapland, with a tent and reindeer on a frozen lake.

Reproductions

An electronic reproduction was published in 2003 (Farmington Hills, Mich.: Thomson Gale). A microfilm version was published in 1986 (Woodbridge CT: Research Publications).

Provenance

Acquired between 1769 and 1802. Recorded in RAA Library, Catalogue, 1802.

Binding Note

18th-century half calf, marbled-papered boards; rebacked and recornered in 20th century, brown morocco spine labels lettered 'A. De La Motraye's Travels Vol. I. (II.)'.

Name as Subject

Subject

Europe - Italy - Greece - Russia - Sweden - Lapland - Asia - Middle East - Turkey - Africa - Description and travel - Social life and customs - Costume - Clothing and dress - Maps - History - 17th century - 18th century
Travel literature - Great Britain - 18th century
Pictorial works - Great Britain - 18th century

Contributors

George I King of Great Britain, dedicatee
Giuseppe Grisoni, draughtsman
Francesco Bartoli, draughtsman
Adolphus Gaab, draughtsman
R. Smith, engraver
George Vertue, engraver
William Hogarth, engraver
David Lockley, engraver
Sartor, engraver
W. Nutting, engraver
Samuel Parker, engraver
Aubry De La Mottraye, publisher