A valuable work' (Ioannou). Shaw was chaplain to the English factory at Algiers from 1720 to 1733. During this period he visited Egypt, Sinai, Palestine, Cyprus and most of North Africa. This work is especially esteemed for its botanical and zoological plates, these are dedicated to prominent figures in the British cultural and social life of the period including Richard Mead, James Beauclerc, and Sir Robert Walpole. Shaw imparts much useful information on the antiquities, geology and geography of the areas he visited, as well as mentioning various British and European consuls in the Levant. The book is also of note for its handsome typography.

First edition, folio (35.5 x 23 cm. approx.), xv, [i], 442, [ii], 60, [viii] pp., title-page printed in red and black with engraved vignette, 11 engraved maps and plans (incl. 6 folding, 2 double-page), 1 prospect, 20 engraved plates on 17 leaves (3 leaves have plates on rectos and versos), one folding table, other illustrations in text including a page of engraved music; contemporary calf gilt neatly rebacked, a very good copy.

Blackmer 1533-1534; Hilmy II, 233; Gay 391; Ioannou II, 490; Nissen (ZBI), 3839; Roehricht 1352; Tobler 123.