Histoire de Sumatra

First French edition, translated by Parraud. One large folding map and one plate of Rejang, Batta and Lampoon alphabets.
Contemporary full brown speckled sheep binding. Inversion of leaves between p. 354 and 357, also between p. 359 and 361. Smooth spine decorated with 3 stamps and various fillets. Fillets at tail and gilt rules. Brown calf title-label. Joints of volume 1 cracked at head for 1 cm, same for volume 2 at tail. Traces of rubbing, particularly at joints. 3 corners cut. Tailcap of volume 2 worn. Scattered foxing.
This is indisputably the best and most complete work on the subject, the literature of which was then rather poor. Only two other books on Sumatra from the same period can be distinguished, which are much less rich in detail. Among all the productions of the island, pepper grows in abundance, Marsden carefully describes the different species and the manner of cultivating them. Besides the description of Sumatra, provides important information on Celebes, Philippines, Japan, Indonesia. William Marsden spent eight years on the island of Sumatra as an administrator, having followed his brother who was employed by the East India Company.