The works.
London: printed for G.G. and J. Robinson & R.H. Evans, 1799. First collected edition, 6 volumes (2 supplemental volumes were published in 1801 and are not included here), large 4to, engraved portrait after Joshua Reynolds, 59 engraved plates (12 of them on 6 sheets, plus 1 folding and 1 double-p.), a few grammatical diagrams in the text, text largely in roman and Persian character, and with a smattering of Greek and Hebrew; occasional spotting and browning throughout, one internal page in vol. II torn, and neatly repaired, volumes I and VI rebacked with spines laid down, hinges tender on the other volumes, top of spine on vol. II slightly clipped, but all in all a good set or better in later half polished tan calf gilt over marbled boards, gilt-paneled spine in 6 compartments, red and black morocco labels in two. Includes the texts of many seminal contributions to the Journal of Asiatic Researches, and much on the language and literature of the Persians and Hindus, with notices of their customs and laws, select word lists and grammars, a number of translations of poems, songs, and anecdotes from Asiatic languages, including selections from the Upanishads and Vedas, and a significant bibliography and a catalogue of the Sanskrit manuscripts presented by Jones to the Royal Society. Volume V is given over almost entirely to "L'Histoire de Nader Chah" with additional introductory matter in English. Ebert 10877; Lowndes II, 1228; ref. Printing and the Mind of Man, 235 for Jones' On the Hindus (1788) which "marks a turning point in the history of linguistics, and signaled the birth of comparative philology ... In 1786 Jones made his epoch-making discovery of the relationship between the Sanskrit, Gothic, Greek, and Latin languages ... His clear understanding of the basic principles of scientific linguistics provided the foundation on which Rask, Bopp, and Grimm built the imposing structure of comparative Indo-European studies." Item #11123
Price: $1,500.00
