Claude Savary - Lettres sur l'Égypte - 1785

Claude Savary – Claude Savary – Letters on Egypt, Paris, Onfroi, 1785. First edition.
An early copy of this important account dedicated to 18th‑century Egypt by Claude Savary (1750‑1788), French orientalist and traveler.
The work describes the manners and customs of the inhabitants of Egypt, its agriculture, its commerce, its government, its main cities as well as many geographical and historical aspects. Savary notably mentions Alexandria, Rosetta, Cairo, the Nile, the pyramids, and the expedition of Saint Louis to Damietta.
First edition published in Paris by Onfroi in 1785.
The volume retains its original title page, the preliminary matter, the preface and the XXVI letters, up to page 351, where the last letter ends, dated February 2, 1779, at Greater Cairo.
Beautiful old leather binding, with spine ruled and decorated with gold tools and flat boards adorned with antique paper inlaid in a dominos pattern. Guard leaves decorative.
Overall presenting a fine patina and the normal signs of a book of this era: some foxing and browning of the paper, as well as wear and marks from use on the binding. Text perfectly legible.
A distinguished work for collectors of old books, travel, Egypt, Orientalism, and 18th‑century history. on Egypt, Paris,