Ceylon.

The scarce first edition of this classic survey of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), as the work went through five editions in eight months it is not common to find a first edition in such condition.

Sir James Emerson Tennent lived in Ceylon from 1845-1850 and was appointed Colonial Secretary. Chapters include: geography, geology, zoology, malaria, history, science, agriculture and food, shipping, music and painting, infrastructure, Indian and Arabian influence, culture of the different cities, and a whole section on Elephants.

First edition; 2 vols, 8vo (23 x 15.5 cm); wood-engraved frontispieces, 4 engraved maps with 3 more in text, 17 in-text plans and charts, 90 in-text wood engravings, largely unopened, armorial bookplates to pastedowns, discreet bookbinders ticket to rear pastedown of vol 1; publisher's original green cloth with gilt vignettes to upper boards, gilt lettering to spines, touch of mottling to lower board of vol 2, else a fine copy; xxxv, 619, 24 (ads.); xvi, 655 pp.