Fuller, Pisgah-Sight of Palestine, 1650

A Pisgah-Sight of Palestine and the Confines Thereof, with The History of the Old and New Testament Acted Thereon. By Thomas Fuller B.D. London. Printed by John Williams 1650.Complete with all plates and maps, including the large foldout map of Palestine which is often missing (in this copy it is detached, but otherwise in excellent condition, and, importantly, present!) plus a full page coat of arms plate and a decorative title plate. The 27 two-page maps, plans of the tabernacle, temple, and plates of Jewish dress, idols, and weights and measures, as well as a single page coat of arms and a decorative title page preceding the main title. Maps include the tribal allotments to the tribes of unified Israel after the conquest, as well as a general map of Judaea, Moriah, Jerusalem, Egypt, the wilderness of Paran, and Moab. The large fold out map of Palestine loosely tipped in at the front. Also includes in-text tables as well as figures of tribal arrangement during procession around the tabernacle.Folio volume in full 20th century brown leather with marbled end papers and reinforced hinges. Spine and top edge of rear board a bit sunned. A single small very faint drip stain on the front board.Upper outer corner of decorative title page torn (with paper repair) encroaching upon, but not affecting, text of title. 19th and 20th century prior owner’s inscriptions on first blank recto. Last leaf of index torn (lacking about one third of leaf). The margins are all well retained and the pages remarkably bright and crisp (unlike so many copies that are tattered, browned, and lacking maps). A few small foci in which the leaf at page 303 (a text leaf) is worn thin, and at one small point, through. Approximately 30 pages near the rear have a very faint (“nearly imperceptible” may be more accurate) damp stain of the outer margin near the bottom corner which involves the text here and there. A few additional minute brown stains scattered about on a few leaves. The partial loss of the decorative title and final index are the only significant flaws. Otherwise this is a strikingly fresh copy internally.This is the first edition of one of Thomas Fuller’s most sought-after works. The title derives from Deuteronomy 31:1-4, which narrates the occasion before Moses’ death in which he was allowed to view (but never enter) the Promised Land from atop Pisgah, on Mount Nebo.