Views in Egypt from the original drawings in the possession of Sir Robert Ainslie, taken during his embassy to Constantinople [...] with historical observations, and incidental illustrations of the manners and customs of the natives of that country.

Large folio: [4]-102-[2] pp. with 2 preliminary and trailing blanks; 48 pls (pl. 2 bound before title, pl. 30 before 29, pl. 44 before 43).

Contemp. red calf, gilt ruled and blind-stamped boards, gilt orn. spine with 5 raised bands, a.e.g. (missing upper part of spine, weak joints, rubbed corners).

First edition illustrated with 48 very nice hand-coloured aquatints figuring panoramic scenes of the Nile Valley, archaeological sites, monuments, inside views of the pyramids plus costumes. Mayer (1755-1803) was one of the first and most important painters of the Ottoman Empire and close friend of Robert Ainslie (c. 1730-1812), ambassador to Turkey between 1776 and 1792. Ref. Abbey 369. - Blackmer 830. - Colas 2018. Prov. [Georges Petit].