SOLVYNS, FRANCOIS BALTHAZAR (1760 - 1824)

The Costume of Hindostan Elucidated by Sixty Coloured Engravings; with Descriptions in French and English, Taken in the Years 1798 and 1799.

London: J. Hayes for E. Orme, 1807 [plates watermarked 1818].
br> Folio (365 x 260 mm). 12 preliminary pp. 60 hand-coloured line- or stipple- engraved or etched plates by Scott or T. Vivares after Solvyns, each with accompanying leaf of letterpress description. Period half red morocco. Light offsetting from plates to text, lightly rubbed, upper joint beginning to crack.

First published in parts with an undated title page, and followed by editions in 1804 and 1807, this popular work stayed in print for many years after these dates. It was based on Solvyn's earlier work containing 250 plates, The Manner, Customs and Dresses of the Hindoos (Calcutta, 1799). Abbey Travel 429; Colas 2766; Tooley 461.