NON-EXPORTABLE
TITLE: A Description of Ceylon
SUB TITLE: Containing an Account of the Country, Inhabitants and Natural Productions; with Narratives of a Tour Round the Island in 1800, The Campaign in Candy in 1803, and a Journey to Ramisseram in 1804
AUTHOR: James Cordiner
PUBLISHER: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme
PLACE: London
YEAR: 1807
NO.OF PAGES:
VOLUME I: xii + 445 pages including 21 black and white engravings with 2 maps
VOLUME II: vi + 360 pages including4 black and white engravings. 2-page advertisements bound at the end of second
BINDING: Contemporary half calf, marbled boards
SIZE: 28 x 22 x 4 cm (each)
A CLASSIC EARLY ACCOUNT OF COLONIAL SRI LANKA, A DETAILED STUDY OF THE ISLAND INTHE YEARS AFTER THE BRITISH HAD TAKEN POSSESSION FROM THE DUTCH
MAPS:
Volume I:
1. Sketch of the Island of Ceylon.
2. Plan of Columbo.
Volume I:
1. Fort of Columbo
2. Cingalese Dresses
3. Cingalese Alphabet
4. Malabar Dresses. Candian Dresses
5. Flag Staff at Point de Galle
6. View of Point de Galle from the South East
7. Buddha reclining in the Temple of Heetateea
8. Cingalese Temple of Agrabodiganni near to Belligau
9. Vishnu and Carticeyia in the Temple of Divinuara Maha Vishnu Dewawley
10. Mulgeerelenna seen from Kahawata
11. Mulgeerenna
12. Elephant Snare at Kotawy
13. A Talipot Tree or Batticaloe
14. Manner of carrying the sacred Book, preparatory tothe administration of an oath to a Brahmin
15. The Fort of Trincomallee from the Governor's Bungaloe. Folding
16. Fort Ostenburg and the Harbour of Trincomallee from the Governor's Bungaloe. Folding
17. Penacaratchy between Coumpiorde & Coutcharelly
18. Banyan Tree
19. Larorns Cinnamomnm
Volume II:
20. Pagoda of Ramisserarn
21. The Governors House at Aripo, in Ceylon
22. Temple of Buddha at Arandera near Idalmalpany, in Ceylon
23. The hanging bridge nearIdemalpany in the Island of Ceylon
Rev. James Cordiner was a chaplain to the garrison at Colombo. The two volumes of text are replete with interesting and descriptive comments. The sepia, stone lithograph plates are of a very high quality showing scenes of local life and architecture (7" x 9", except for two large folding ones of Trincomallee 12" x 8").
James Cordiner, the chaplain of the fort at Colombo, made an extensive tour of the island, including the native-held central Candian territories and the East India Company island of Ramesseram, in 1800. He not only provides first-hand information of many of the settlements on the island, but also descriptions of elephant hunts, methods of cultivating cinnamon, collecting seasalt and pearl diving. The fine plates of native dress, temples, and topographical studies are after drawings by Cordiner himself.
Reference: Abbey 'Travel in Aquatint and Lithography 1770-1860', 409; Goonetileke, Bibliography of Ceylon , 13.
This lot will be sold in "as is" condition.
There may be some minor tears/creases scratches, or holes commensurate with age that may not be visible in the images.
The books on sale in this auction are rare, out-of-print and otherwise collectible, dating from the 19th century on wards. The technology and material for printing and binding books has evolved over the last few centuries. From being the exclusive preserve of Clergy and Kings to an item of everyday application, the availability and use of books has also evolved over time. Books age over time and deterioration in a book's condition depends on many factors, including the original materials used and conditions of usage over time. Books will often show signs of foxing, fading, shelf-ware or dust jacket damage through usage. Prolonged storage may also cause wormhole damage or water stains.
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