Coryat’s Crudities:

First Collected Edition of the writings of Thomas Coryate (1577?–1617), effectively the second edition of his Crudities with additional material. Crudities, describing his tour from London to Venice and back, is his best known work, with many points of historical interest, including his admirable rendering of the story of William Tell (cited as the earliest in English); it is also remembered for the prefatory mock-panegyric verses by the most illustrious authors of the day, including Jonson, Chapman, Donne, Campion, Harington, Drayton and others. The whole apparatus of the book, including these verses, the plates and the original spelling, is reproduced here. Coryate then set out on a second tour to Constantinople, visited Aleppo whence he walked to the Holy Land and back (sending notes home which were first published in Purchas his Pilgrimes, 1625), and then achieved the remarkable feat of walking from Jerusalem to India. After further wanderings within India, he died at or near Surat in Gujarat.

3 volumes, 8vo (209 × 127 mm). Contemporary mottled calf, smooth spines gilt, red morocco labels, black morocco circular numbering-pieces, blue sprinkled edges. 8 engraved plates copied from 17th-century blocks, engraved illustrations within text. Contemporary armorial bookplate and early ownership inscription of H. C. Morewood to first volume; later plates of Hardress Llewellyn Lloyd in all three. Joints, headcaps and one tear to side very skilfully repaired, an excellent set.