Russia: or, A Compleat Historical Account of All the Nations which compose that Empire Vols I-3 (of 4) by Johann Gottlieb Georgi, William Tooke (translator) - 1780

London: J Nichols; T Cadell; H Payne; and N Conant, 1780 Vols I, II and III of the scarce 4 volume set, with 6 black and white plates, in newer quarter leather binding. An interesting work covering Finland, the Baltic States, Mongolia and Tibet in addition to territory that we more recently associate with Russia. Originally written in German, the work was translated by William Tooke, who was a Chaplain based in St Petersburg. Tooke made some additions in translation. The volumes have calf spines with gilt lines and title labels, and marbled boards. The bindings are in near fine condition with the odd light scuff. The contents are untrimmed, so page edges are rough. Vol I: title with old ink note about Tooke; contents and introduction cxi; errata; text 201 pp with 2 plates; publisher's list 2pp. Vol II: title; contents; text 401 pp with 2 plates; publisher's list 1p. Vol III: half title; text p3-297 with 2 plates; publisher's list 2pp; text - observations on mountains pp 299-371; errata; publisher's list 4pp. Contents are in very clean condition with just the occasional mark. There is slight worm damage: small holes in the gutter of Vol II pp 354-386 and small track in gutter in Vol III. There is a publisher's fault in Vol III where a further p 297 is bound in after the publisher's list. Interestingly, the second p297 lacks the last paragraph in which Tooke makes a religious statement after the text on shamanism.