Rothschild copy with arms. A finely bound copy of Abel's China with Rothschild provenance, bound by the Royal bookbinder, Simier.
Abel was the naturalist and chief medical officer who accompanied Lord Amherst on his mission to China from 1816-7, attempting, unsuccessfully, to establish diplomatic relations. During their travels, which saw them visit the capital Pekin and the famous botanical gardens of Fa Tee near Canton, Abel collected many specimens, including seeds of the plant that carries his name Abelia chinensis. Unfortunately most of his extensive collection was lost during the shipwreck of their vessel "Alceste". His book provides a detailed account of the collection's misfortunes and describes his journey to China and back via Borneo, Indonesia, and the Cape of Good Hope. Of particular value are his account of a visit with the exiled Napoleon on the island of St. Helena, descriptions of the 'orang-outang' and the boa, and valuable observations on the geology of the Cape Colony.
The book's illustrations were originally drawn by the artist for the mission, William Havell, founding member of the Society of Painters in Watercolors, who was able to sketch the Chinese countryside as the Embassy took its return route overland from Beijing to Guangzhou.

First edition. 4to, 4 engraved maps, 3 folding, 19 plates including 8 handcoloured, after Sydenham Edwards, William Hooker and others, errata leaf, some slight offsetting and spotting, contemporary French blond calf gilt by Simier relieur du Roi (signed to spine). A finely bound copy of Abel's China with Rothschild provenance.

Abbey Travel 537 (2nd ed.); Cordier 2395; Hill I, 1; Bastin & Brommer 134; Mendelssohn I, 2; BdM I, 8.