Books

First edition, 4to, pp. ix, [3], 632; 3 engraved plates (2 double-p.), 5 hand-colored aquatints after William Alexander, a little light foxing to text and plain plates, frontispiece slightly offset; recent quarter brown calf over marbled boards, gilt-paneled spine and black morocco label; nice copy. Ownership signature of H. Wallop dated 1805 on title page. "Barrow accompanied Lord Macartney's mission to the court of China in 1792 as his private secretary, and the present account of the country, accompanied by a number of fine plates, is one of the best illustrated English travels on China. The strict exclusion of Europeans by the Chinese Emperors had left China very much terra incognita to the western world well into the nineteenth century. Barrow was an excellent observer, and the text contains a number of descriptions of Chinese artifacts and novelties" (Hill, Collection of Pacific Voyages). Tooley 84; Hill 16; Lust 365; Cox I, 346; Abbey, Travel, 531; Cordier, Sinica, 2388-9.

Travels in China by John Barrow is an extensive travelogue detailing his journeys and observations during his time in China, offering insights into the culture, society, and geography of the region during the early 19th century.