Europes knowledge of China and Korea 275 years ago. Copperplate engravings.

Johann Joachim Schwabe (translator), Allgemeine Historie der Reisen zu Wasser und Lande; oder Sammlung aller Reisebeschreibungen, welche bis itzo in verschiedenen Sprachen von allen Volkern herausgegeben worden Leipzig: Arkstee und Merkus, 1750.

Hardcover, super royal octavo, (i) + (6) + 608 + (30: index), 45 (of 47) copperplate engravings (scenes, botanical subjects, maps), some of them fold-out. Gothic typeface.

In the publisher's original, unsophisticated, paper-over-boards binding, very worn (as is common), back-strip partly missing, plates 35 and 36 lacking. The text has been carefully examined and found complete. Some plates are carelessly folded, there are a few tears without loss to the printed surface. Binding a little slack, one section (pp. 115 to 118) somewhat pulled. Some of the usual browning, foxing, and mostly marginal thumbing; light tide-mark in the fore-margins of the last few leaves. Overall, the prints are cleaner than the text, being printed on superior paper stock. Otherwise, in acceptable antiquarian condition. 
German text. A single volume from a multi-volume set. This is Volume 15 and deals with China, with a rare early chapter on Korea (pages 555 to 608). There are interesting maps of China and of Korea. The chapter on Korea draws largely on the original mid-17th century account of that country by Dutchman Hendrik Hamel, which for generations was the only first-hand account available in Europe of that mysterious and culturally-isolated country.
I purchased this volume from a dealer in Austria in 2023 and paid the equivalent of R6,600 for it. An entire and somewhat better copy is currently on sale in the States for $750. Individual plates are advertised for sale on eBay at $40 apiece.
The work originally appeared in English and was published by Thomas Astley in London. This German translation is by Johann Joachim Schwabe (1714 to 1784), who was an academic, poet, and translator.
Keywords: Travel, exploration. Antiquarian.