John Fryer · 1698

A New Account of East-India and Persia

USD 8,900

A New Account of East-India and Persia, in Eight Letters: Being Nine Years Travels, Begun 1672, and Finished 1681

John Fryer's major seventeenth-century account of India and Persia.

John Fryer’s A New Account of East-India and Persia, in Eight Letters: Being Nine Years Travels, Begun 1672, and Finished 1681 (published in London, 1698) stands as one of the most comprehensive and vibrant seventeenth-century European travelogues of Asia. When encountered as a "very good complete copy" in its original folio format, the book is not only a historical treasure but a spectacular artifact of early modern print culture.Here is a review of this seminal work, focusing on its contents, historical value, and what makes a complete 1698 edition so remarkable for collectors and historians.Synopsis and ScopeJohn Fryer, a Cambridge-educated physician employed by the East India Company, spent nearly a decade travelling through India (primarily Bombay, Surat, and the Malabar Coast) and Persia (modern-day Iran, including Gombroon and Shiraz).Unlike many merchants of his era who focused strictly on trade ledgers, Fryer approached his travels with the trained, inquisitive eye of a natural philosopher. Written as a series of eight extended letters, his narrative provides an exhaustive look at:The Rise of Bombay: Fryer arrived just after Bombay was transferred to the British Crown and subsequently leased to the East India Company. He provides invaluable, firsthand observations of its early, volatile development and deadly climate.The Mughal-Maratha Conflict: He offers rare, contemporary European perspectives on the regional geopolitics, including descriptions of the Maratha ruler Shivaji and the Mughal Empire under Aurangzeb.The Safavid Empire: His journey through Persia captures the twilight decades of the Safavid Dynasty, offering rich details on Persian court etiquette, architecture, and daily life.

The Collector’s Perspective:

A "Very Good Complete Copy"Finding a complete 1698 first edition in "very good" condition is a rare privilege for bibliophiles. Early modern travel books were heavily read, often resulting in missing plates, torn maps, or heavy foxing. A truly complete copy of this folio is highly prized for several structural reasons:The Maps and Plates: A complete copy must contain the impressive engraved portrait of Fryer by Robert White, along with all maps and plates (typically including large folding maps of joints and regions, and detailed ethnographic or botanical illustrations). These plates are frequently missing or damaged in lesser copies.Scientific and Botanical Illustrations: Fryer was deeply interested in natural history. Complete copies preserve his meticulously detailed illustrations of regional flora, fauna, and specialized technologies (such as local water-raising contraptions or coins).Typography and Printing: Printed by R.R. for Ri. Chiswell in London, the book is a beautiful example of late-17th-century English typography, featuring large, crisp type, ornate initial letters, and a commanding folio layout.Literary Style and Historical ValueFryer’s writing style is a fascinating mix of academic erudition and gritty, colonial reality. He writes with a classicist's flair, frequently dropping Latin phrases and historical comparisons. Yet, he does not shy away from describing the harsh realities of travel—disease, corrupt officials, and the sheer exhaustion of the journey.While modern readers will easily spot the inevitable Eurocentric and colonial biases of a 17th-century East India Company employee, Fryer’s curiosity often overrides his prejudices. His medical background makes his observations on local diseases, diets, and traditional medicine exceptionally accurate and unique for the period.Final VerdictA New Account of East-India and Persia is an indispensable primary source for anyone studying the early footprint of the British Empire in Asia or the late Safavid period.As a physical book, a 1698 first edition in very good, complete condition is a crowning achievement for any collection of early voyages and travels. It bridges the gap between the adventurous age of discovery and the systematic, scientific exploration of the Enlightenment.

Edition

First edition

Provenance

From the library of Loxwood House, Billingshurst; further provenance research available.

Condition

Original period leather binding.The exact count of plates and maps present. Illustrious provenance. Very good condition

Status

On request