Purchased for Harrow School
RENNELL, James.
The geographical system of Herodotus, examined, and explained, by a comparison with those of other ancient authors, and with modern geography ... The whole explained by eleven maps ... London, W. Bulmer and Co. for G. and W. Nicol, 1800.
Large 4to, pp. xx, 766, [2]; with engraved frontispiece of the author and 11 engraved maps (all but one folding); short closed marginal tears to a few maps, a little fraying to edge of fifth map, paper repair to blank corner of 4Z3, slight browning, light foxing to plates; overall very good in contemporary calf, rebacked with remains of gilt spine laid down, red morocco lettering-piece; spine and extremities somewhat worn, some abrasions to covers; gilt arms of Harrow School to covers, book label to front pastedown, page of MS notes regarding this and other volumes signed ‘Wm Oxenham Harrow Sept 1837’ tipped in.
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The geographical system of Herodotus, examined, and explained, by a comparison with those of other ancient authors, and with modern geography ... The whole explained by eleven maps ...
First edition of this work on ancient geography by the eminent cartographer James Rennell (1742-1830), ‘a monument of laborious research and acute and lucid criticism’ (DNB). Best known for his pioneering mapping of India and Africa, Rennell was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1781, receiving its Copley medal ten years later.
The excellent maps engraved by J. Walker depict, inter alia, ‘The world according to the idea of Herodotus’, western Scythia, bridges over the Hellespont and Bosphorus, ancient Babylon, lower Egypt, changes in the course of the Nile, the coast and interior of Libya, currents and trade winds in the Atlantic and around Africa, and the voyage of Hanno the Navigator.
Provenance: according to a page of manuscript notes tipped in, this volume was purchased for Harrow School Library in 1837, together with other books, by the Rev. William Oxenham, Assistant Master, from a subscription collected by Edward Dugdale Bucknall Estcourt (later of Balliol College, Oxford).
ESTC T147321.