French edition of Lord George Macartney's published account of the first British diplomatic mission to China in 1793.
Macartney's goals were to open new ports for British trade, the establishment of a permanent embassy in Beijing, the cessation of a small island for British use and the relaxation of the trade restrictions that limited trade in Guangzhou (Canton).
None of these goals were achieved but a greater understanding of the complexity of Chinese culture, politics and its geography was the real result.
6 volumes and a seperate atlas with folding chart and plates. 8vo.
Full marbled calf, gold tooled with gilt binding.
Paris 1804
Published as a component of Bibliotheque portative des Voyages.