Engelbert KAEMPFER. Amoenitatum exoticarum politico-physico-medicarum... Lot 26

Engelbert KAEMPFER. Amoenitatum exoticarum politico-physico-medicarum Lemgo, Henrici Wilhelmi Meyeri, 1712. In-4, cream vellum, smooth spine with tan leather title-piece (German binding of the period). Brunet, III-637 / Cordier, 443 /// (9f.)-912-(16f.). Curious work, highly sought-after and uncommon according to Brunet. Cordier gives a collation identical to ours, but makes no mention of the plates. The author, Engelbert Kaempfer, was a German naturalist and traveler born in Lemgo, Westphalia, in 1651. After a trip to Sweden, he accompanied the Swedish ambassador to Persia, then became physician to the Dutch East India Company, visiting Siam, China and Japan, where he stayed for two years. He returned from his travels in 1693 to become physician to Count Frederick Adolph of Lippe in Lemgo, where he died in 1716. His work is very precise and detailed on the civilizations he encounters, their habits, customs and medicine. He introduces acupuncture to Europe and devotes a large section of his work to plants. He also introduced the soya plant to Europe and was the first to describe the Ginkgo Biloba. His remarkably illustrated work testifies to the diversity and precision of his relationship. In all, a frontispiece designed and engraved by Maret, a title vignette, 78 copper engravings including 16 fold-outs, 55 full-page and 7 in the text, and 12 woodcut figures in the text including 8 full-page. Most of the copper engravings are unsigned, with the exception of 20 by Brandshagen and 2 by Donop. A fine copy in perfect condition, with the exception of a handwritten note scratched on the title, most probably a bookplate from the period.