London, T. Davison, [1826]. 8vo (21.0 x 13.4 cm). xii, 459 pp.; engraved frontispiece portrait of the author; ten tables (several folding), one engraved folding map of the Arabian Peninsula and one folding plate of a plan of Babylon. Later half calf over marbled boards. Spine with five raised bands, compartments with gilt lines and floral vignettes. Black morocco label with gilt title.

Virtually unknown edition of an interesting work in relation to the growth of scientific and historical knowledge, by the French philosopher, orientalist and historian Constantin François de Chassebœuf, Comte de Volney (1757-1820), first published in French in 1808 as Recherches nouvelles sur l'histoire ancienne. A first English edition was published in 1819 by Simpkin Marshall in London; this edition, however, is not dated, and is widely different. Its publication is announced in Cobbett's Political Register, volume 58(6), on 6 May 1826. Thomas Davison was a printer of radical works between 1819-1830 and served two years in prison for blasphemous libel. The work deals with various philosophers, mythology, culture etc., but mainly with Middle Eastern people and persons, in particular those of historical importance, for instance Moses, Herodotus, Flavius Josephus, etc. Former owner’s autograph on front flyleaf, otherwise a very good, clean copy in a nice contemporary-style binding. Apart from the above publication announcement, and one doubtful listing in OCLC (with an 1830 date), we found no records of this edition.