Heading: (Rich, Claudius James)
Author: Maurice, Thomas
Title: Observations of the Ruins of Babylon as Recently Visited and Described by Claudius James Rich, Esq., Resident for the East India Company at Bagdad; With Illustrative Engravings
Place Published: London
Publisher:Printed for the Author, sold by James Murray
Date Published: 1816
Description:

[4], viii, [3]-239, [3] pp. With four folding copper-engraved plates. (8vo) 21.5x13.5 cm (8½x5¼"), period half straight-grained morocco & marbled boards, custom slipcase. First Edition.

Passages from Rich's journals with extensive commentary by Maurice. Inscribed 'From the author' on front flyleaf though it is unclear to which gentleman this refers. Inscription addressed, in a different ink, to Mr. Cates, Alfred Cates has added his name to the head of the half title. Important investigations into the ruins and antiquities of ancient Babylon, with folding copperplates of the "supposed Ruins of the Tower of Babel"; ancient inscriptions; the Great Pagoda of Tanjore "evidently formed after the model of the Tower of Babel"; and a "Mexican Temple to the Sun and the Moon...remarkable, because erected after the manner of the pyramidal tower of Belus at Babylon..." There was a second volume published in 1818.

Binding worn, old rebacking, small loss to paper on front board at lower corner, front joint starting, hinges reinforced; light foxing, some offsetting of plates to text; very good.