A Visit to the Philippine Islands. by Bowring, Sir John - 1859

London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1859. First edition, 8vo (21.5 x 14.5 cm), pp.[viii], 434, [4, music], 8 plates, illustrations. Bound in contemporary calf, gilt, spine rubbed. Gilt monogram of W. Lee to upper board. Some plates rather foxed, offsetting onto title and text. Sir John Bowring (1792–1872) was an English politician, economist, traveller, writer, and the fourth Governor of Hong Kong from 1854. In 1855 he negotiated a treaty with King Mongkut of Siam. His visit to the Philippines was brief; his book is particularly strong on commerce and finance.