MOUHOT (Henri). Travels in the central parts of Indo-China ( - Lot 154

MOUHOT (Henri). Travels in the central parts of Indo-China (Siam), Cambodia and Laos, during the years 1858, 1859, and 1860. London, John Murray, 1864. 2 vols. In-8, 303-16 p., catalog, frontispiece and 61 illustrations in text + VIII-301 p., folding map and 34 illustrations in text, publisher's decorated green percaline, gilt title on spine (slight rubbing, small tears to spines). € First edition in bookshops. The pre-original edition, Voyage dans les royaumes de Siam, de Cambodge, de Laos et autres parties centrales de l'Indo-Chine, was published in the geography magazine "Le Tour du monde" in 1863; The illustration - collation in accordance with the table - comprises a frontispiece, a fold-out map and 95 figures in black in the text, most of them full-page, including several fold-outs. "In 1858, Henri Mouhot (1826-1861), a naturalist, left London and set off alone on a mission of exploration in Siam, Cambodia and Laos. His work described the population, customs and royal ceremonies of these countries, and he made the first attempt at scientific interpretation of the remains of Khmer civilization. [ ] A fabulous journey, often on the backs of elephants or in long caravans of oxen, took him to the most remote provinces, where he brought back invaluable notes on the fauna, flora, customs, ceremonies, shows and markets". (Bernard and Bernadette Chovelon, Henri Mouhot, du pays des éléphants blancs aux temples d'Angkor: voyages au Siam, Cambodge, Laos, 1858-1861). Handwritten bookplate. (Cordier, Indosinica, 1065).