Voyage en Syrie et en Égypte pendant les années 1783, 1784 et 1785 [Travels through Egypt and Syria in the Years 1783, 1784 and 1785], by Constantin-François Volney. Paris: Desenne \ Volland, 1787. French. Second edition. Two volumes. Travelogue recounting the travels of Volney, the French orientalist, through Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine (visiting Jerusalem, Acre and Safed). With copious information regarding local geography, manners, customs, and government; five folding engraved plates: one map of Syria, one map of Egypt, and three plates depicting the Baalbek temple and the ruins of Palmyra. Second edition (printed the same year as the first edition). Elegant quarto with wide margins. Gilt edges. Constantin-François Chassebœuf de La Giraudais, comte de Volney (1757-1820), philosopher, orientalist and liberal French politician. Authored several works on his travels to the Levant and America, political philosophy and philosophy of history. During the French revolution, he was member of the Estates-General and the National Constituent Assembly, and had only barely escaped the guillotine at the time of the Reign of Terror. He was a member of the Académie Française, and played an important role in founding the discipline of Oriental studies in France. Vol. I : XVI, 383 pp. + [2] folding maps; Vol. II: VIII, 458 pp., [2] ff. + [3] folding plates, 26 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains (mostly clean). Minor tears to several pages and plates, not affecting text and prints. Inked stamps to title pages. Matching leather-covered bindings, gilt. Bindings slightly worn. Abrasions and tears to spines. Gilt edges.