DAVIS (John Francis). La Chine, ou Description générale des - Lot 51

DAVIS (John Francis). La Chine, ou Description générale des moeurs et des coutumes, du gouvernement, des lois, des religions, des sciences, de la littérature, des productions naturelles, des arts, des manufactures et du commerce de l'Empire chinois. Paris, Paulin, 1837. 2 vols. In-8, XIV-(2)-397 p. + IX-(2)-418-(2) p., 55 engravings in the text, late 19th c. fawn half-chagrin, ribbed spine (one head cap torn off, some russeting). First French edition by Auguste Pichard of the seminal work by Sir John Francis Davis (1795-1890), sinologist, diplomat and governor of Hong Kong. The illustration includes 55 black engravings in the text, most of them full-page. Provenance: René Philipon (1869-1936; bookplate engraved by Andrada); handwritten bookplate. (Cordier, Sinica, I, 72).