The Natural History of Aleppo. Containing a description of the City, and the principal natural productions in its neighbourhood. Together with an account of the climate, inhabitants, and diseases; particularly of the Plague by Alexander Russell; Patrick Russell - 1794

London : GG and J Robinson, 1794 A good copy of the scarce 2 volume 2nd enlarged edition of this work. In contemporary full leather bindings with 20 black and white plates, of which 6 are folding. Alexander Russell was a physician and naturalist, who became a fluent arabic speaker when working in Aleppo. This work provides an authoritative study of Aleppo and the surrounding area, local diseases, and in-depth study of the plague.The second edition adds 3 plates and has revisions and additional note sections by his brother Patrick. Vol I: folding plate of Aleppo; title page; editor's preface i-xvi, advertisement to 1st edition xvii-xix; contents listing xxi-xxiv; text pp 1-344, with plan of City of Aleppo and 3 folding plates; half title; Notes and Illustrations pp 347-446; Appendix i-xxiii; errata to vol I 1p; blank. Vol II: title page; contents iii-vii; text 1-387, with 15 plates - 2 folding; half title; Notes and Illustrations pp 391-430; Appendix i-xxxiv; index to both vols 25pp; errata Vol 2 1p; blank. The bindings are in very good condition - having later spines with gilt lined raised bands and gilt titles. The corners have some rubbing and wear.The contents are generally clean. There is offsetting from plates and some light spotting and brown toning. There is a stain to the top corner of Vol II p 379. A scarce set.