Maundrell, Henry. A Journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem, At Easter A. D. 1679. The Fourth Edition to which is now added an Account of the Author’s Journey to the Bank of Euphrates at Beer, and to the Country of Mesopotamia. Oxford: Printed at the Theatre, MDCCXXI [1721].
(200 x 135 mm) pp. x, 1-145, [7], 1-10. The account has separate pagination but the register is continuous: a2, b4, A-U4, X1. Plates on pp. 1, 21, 22, 51, 54, 114, with seven folding plates for p. 135. Engravings within text on pp. 37, 77. Wants frontispiece of “The Prospect of Aleppo.” Contemporary Cambridge panel binding, in full leather, with modern intervention along the spine. Bookplate of General Meredith Read, Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, FSA on pastedown. Bookplate of Judge John M. Read, LLD, Philadelphia. Ownership marking on second (original) fly leaf of W. Robinson 1738. Overall VERY GOOD condition despite lack of frontispiece and spine repair.
ESTC T100588
Cox 219
About the Book & Author:
Henry Maundrell’s A Journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem is a landmark in English travel literature, offering a precise and richly detailed account of the Levant from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. First published in 1703, Maundrell’s narrative is remarkable for its observational clarity, describing landscapes, ancient ruins, and religious sites with a level of detail rare in European travel writing of the period.
This Fourth Edition (1721) preserves his descriptions of the Holy Land, the ruins of Baalbek, the Dead Sea, and other key locations, alongside practical notes on local customs, architecture, and pilgrimage routes. Eager for travel, Maundrell joined the English Factory in Aleppo as Chaplain. He approaches writing about his subject with both curiosity and methodical precision, making this work as much a geographical and archaeological study as a personal travelogue.
About the Provenance:
This particular copy of A Journey from Aleppo to Jerusalem carries a distinguished provenance, having been owned by two prominent figures in American legal and diplomatic history: John Meredith Read Sr. and his son, J. Meredith Read Jr. Their ownership of this book ties it to a legacy of intellect, scholarship, and international engagement spanning law, politics, and diplomacy.
John Meredith Read Sr. (1797–1874) was a towering figure in 19th-century American law. As Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, he played a critical role in shaping constitutional law, particularly in cases concerning civil liberties and state authority. A man of deep intellectual pursuits, Read Sr. was known for his expansive personal library, filled with works of history, law, and exploration. His ownership of Maundrell’s travelogue suggests a keen interest in historical geography and the broader world beyond the courtroom.
His son, J. Meredith Read Jr. (1837–1896), inherited not only his father’s name but also his scholarly inclinations and global perspective. A diplomat and historian, Read Jr. served as U.S. Consul General in France and later as Minister to Greece, deeply engaging with European and Near Eastern affairs. Given his fascination with classical antiquity—he was instrumental in preserving historical sites and advocating for archaeological research—Maundrell’s firsthand account of the Levant would have been particularly relevant to his interests.
This book, passing from father to son, represents more than a mere travelogue; it is a tangible link between two men whose lives were dedicated to law, diplomacy, and the intellectual exploration of history and place. Their ownership imbues this edition with an added layer of significance, connecting 18th-century Middle Eastern travel with 19th-century American statesmanship.