MAURICE, Thomas. The History of Hindostan, its Arts, and its Sciences, as connected with the History of the other great Empires of Asia, during the most ancient Periods of the World … The second Edition.

MAURICE, Thomas. The History of Hindostan, its Arts, and its Sciences, as connected with the History of the other great Empires of Asia, during the most ancient Periods of the World … The second Edition.MAURICE, Thomas. The History of Hindostan, its Arts, and its Sciences, as connected with the History of the other great Empires of Asia, during the most ancient Periods of the World The second Edition. London: printed by W. Bulmer and W. Nicol. 1820. Three volumes, 4to. Contemporary calf, re cornered and rebacked in the 20th century; spines lettered in gilt; pp. [x], [7] 36, [2, list of plates], [37] 522; [iii] xx, [3], 24 303; [4], iv, [3] 8 337; 16

MAURICE, Thomas. The History of Hindostan, its Arts, and its Sciences, as connected with the History of the other great Empires of Asia, during the most ancient Periods of the World … The second Edition. London: printed by W. Bulmer and W. Nicol. 1820.

Three volumes, 4to. Contemporary calf, re-cornered and rebacked in the 20th century; spines lettered in gilt; pp. [x], [7]-36, [2, list of plates], [37]-522; [iii]-xx, [3], 24-303; [4], iv, [3] 8-337; 16 engraved plates (two folding), wear to extremities, foxing to some of the plates, otherwise good.

The orientalist Thomas Maurice had begun work on this impressive book in 1783. It came out first, in two volumes (1795- 1798). The work contains a history of Indian cosmogony, astronomy, the sciences in connection with astronomy and chronology, a history of literature and religion, all in comparison with other Asiatic (as one used to say back then) civilizations, such as the Greek, Jewish, Phoenician, Persian and Egyptian. The plates are of mythological designs and astrological symbols, as well as Hindu deities.

Provenance: From the library of The Honorable Society of King's Inns, Dublin with their stamps. The sale of this library through Sothebys in 1972 proved to be controversial. 'The society has generally kept a low profile in current affairs in Ireland, though it did come to prominence in 1972, when financial difficulties led to the society selling a considerable stock of non-legal books it had in its library. The library collection dates from the end of the 18th century (when the society also adopted its motto 'Nolumus mutari'), and was based on part of that of Christopher Robinson, senior puisne judge of the Court of King's Bench (Ireland), who died in 1787. Books were sold at auction at Sotheby's, London, and a considerable stock of them were sold to clients outside Ireland. This was seen at the time as a major cultural outflow, as many of the books were of historical and cultural significance' (the society's website).

SKU: 2115785