RUSSELL comte Henry The Natural History of Aleppo, and Parts Adjacents. Containing a description of the city, and the principal natural prodcutions in its neighbourhood.

Nissen, BBI, 3534; see Blackmer 1458 (second edition only) & Atabey, 1064 (Dutch edition only).

First edition rare, of this authoritative account of Aleppo and Ottoman life by the Scottsman Alexander Russel (ca. 1715-1768), who spent 14 year at the English Factory in Aleppo. After graduating at University of Edinburg with an MD he sailed in 1740 to Aleppo where he was appointed the city's Chief Medical Pratitioner.

"Alexander Russell was physician to the British factory in Aleppo from 1740 to 1753. He learned to speak Arabic fluently and gained great influence with the Pasha and the natives. His work on Aleppo is fascinating, 'one of the most complete pictures of Eastern manners extant according to Pinkerton" (Blackmer).

The 17 plates depict flowers and plants (1-8, engraved by the master engraver Georg Dionysius Ehret who also contributed to the famous publications by Trew and Weinmann), sheep (unnumbered plate engraved by J. Mynde), birds (plates 9-11, one signed J.L.M.), fish (12-13 signed F. Perry), and scenes of Ottoman life (14-16 engraved by Miller).

Some occasional foxing or toning, else fine.