Memoir on the Ruins of Babylon [With] Second Memoir on Babylon

London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, 1815-1818. First edition. Leather. Very Good Indeed. 9.5" by 6". None. An extremely scarce, finely bound, first edition of Claudius James Rich's two historical works on Babylon. Being the first edition of his 'Memoirs of Babylon' and his 'Second Memoir of Babylon'. Illustrated, with three plates to the first volume, and three plates to the second volume. With publishers' adverts to the second volume. Library bookplate to the front pastedown for Worcester Library. With their blind stamp to the plates. Claudius Rich was a traveller and antiquarian scholar. He was appointed a cadet in the East India Company's service, which allowed him to travel to Constantinople. He then proceeded to Alexandria as an assistant to the British consul-general, where he learned Arabic. He then travelled much of the Middle East and Asia. Upon moving to Baghdad as the British Resident in 1808, he devoted his time to investigating the geography, history and antiquities of the district. A detailed description of Babylon at the start of the nineteenth century. Here are two very scarce works, beautifully presented in a smart quarter calf binding. In a quarter calf binding, with paper covered boards. Externally, excellent with minor shelfwear to the extremities. Bookplate to the front pastedown. Internally, firmly bound Pages are very bright. Institutional blind stamp to the plates. Minor offsetting to the title page of volume II. Occasional scattered spots. Very Good Indeed