17th C Travel. BROWNE, Edward. A Brief Account of Some Travels in Hungaria, Servia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Thessaly, Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and Friuli. Also some observations on the Gold, Silver, Copper, Quick-silver mines, Baths and Mineral waters in those parts.
Pub. LONDON: Printed by T.R. for Benj. Tooke, and are to be sold at the sign of the Ship in St Paul's Church-yard, 1673. Collation Brief, Title, [4] leaves, 144pp. :: 9 plates.
Also bound with An Account of Several Travels Through a great part of Germany: in Four Journeys I. From Norwich to Colen, II. From Colen to Vienna, with a particular description of that Imperial City, III. From Vienna to Hamburg, IV. From Colen to London. Wherein the mines, baths, and other curiosities of those parts are treated of. Illustrated with Sculptures.
Same publisher, 1677. Collation brief, Title, [1]leaf, 179pp :: 6 plates. Plate of a Greek Monastary (sic) misbound into the book on Germany.
Edward Browne was the eldest son of Sir Thomas Browne, elected President of the Royal College of Surgeons. These first editions of two intriguing illustrated travelogues with metallurgical interest. "A very interesting work, with acute observations and judgements; of particular importance is the information Browne provides on early mines and mining techniques" (Blackmer). Browne grew up whetting his intellect on his famous father's library, and as an adult embarked on several grand tours through Europe. His reports reveal an acute attention to the curious objects he encountered on his travels, as well as a healthy interest in books and librarians. In both accounts he devotes special attention to the mining operations he encounters, as well as to the "curious artificers" he meets in Germany. Many of the intriguing plates are signed by William Sherwin in the first work and John Oliver in the second.
Later binding in embossed full calf boards, a little aged. Title page toned and soiled, most pages toned and soiled mainly to the margins, plates spotted and marked, one having ink marks, another repaired. Bookplates for F.M.L. Zobel and K.F. Russell. (195x150mm)


Estimate $1,000-2,000