Travels, or Observations relating to Several Parts of Barbary and the Levant.

Oxford: Printed at the Theatre, , 1738 . Large paper issue First edition, large paper issue (42 cm in height, the regular issue 34 cm), of Shaw's account of his travels across North Africa and the Levant, a major travel account praised for the accuracy of its description, and the quality of the book's design and illustration. Chaplain to the English factory at Algiers, Shaw travelled extensively in Egypt, Sinai, Cyprus, and the Holy Land in 1721-2 and to Tunis and Carthage in 1727, as well as making various excursions into the interior of the Barbary states, Algiers, Tripoli, and Morocco. On his return Shaw published the travels, "which included maps, plates, lists of animals, plants (about 640 species), fossils, coins, and inscriptions, and a copious index. He had engaged the botanist Johann Jakob Dillenius to catalogue his flora. Dedicated to George II, the book also acknowledged the generous patronage of Queen Caroline. The bibliophile Thomas Dibdin called the work 'a safe inmate' of a well-chosen collection and exhorted 'Fly, fly, to secure it' (Library Companion, 1824, 2.48). It was especially admired for the illustrations of natural history, of classical authors, and of the scriptures. Gibbon honourably excepts him from the crowd of 'blind' travellers (E. Gibbon, The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, chap. 24), while his scrupulous veracity was vindicated by James Bruce and later African explorers" (ODNB). Folio (414 x 261 mm). Contemporary mottled calf, rebacked, spine richly gilt with red morocco label, red edges. With 11 maps, 6 of them folding or double-page, 20 plates, folding itinerary, one page of music, title-page vignette of the Theatre and 6 engraved head- and tail-pieces by Gravelot, historiated initials, numerous illustrations to the text. Covers with craquelure, calf restored in places, minor rubbing at extremities, closed tear not affecting text at foot of B2. A very good wide-margined copy, contents clean and crisp. Blackmer 1533; ESTC T114689; Howgego, I, S92; Ibrahim-Hilmy II p. 233; Lowndes 2372.