Robert Knox — An Historical Relation of Ceylon

Dehiwala; Sri Lanka, Tisara Prakasakayo Ltd. 1981. Hardback. A full calf facsimile of this account of Robert Knox's time held in Sri Lanka, with folding map. A full calf reproduction of the 1681 text, together with the introductory pages of an autobiography by Knox from 1696. The third edition to be published in this format. Featuring a monochrome frontispiece, an unlisted monochrome folding map, and full page monochrome vignette illustrations throughout, including the reproduced 1681 title page. No other collation record available. The title refers to the antiquated name for Sri Lanka used prior to its independence in 1949.  Penned by 17th and early 18th century English sea captain Robert Knox. Knox was employed by the British East India Company alongside his father. He and his father landed on Ceylon following storm damage to their ship in 1659. They were kept there as captives, and specifically restricted from leaving the island, but were otherwise left to live in very humane conditions. Knox published this work after his escape and return to London. The book was popular and Knox acquired international fame, even influencing Daniel Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe, and winning Knox a personal friendship with polymath Robert Hooke, of the Royal Society. This edition was published by renowned Sri Lanka publisher Tisara Prakasakayo. Bound in full calf. Externally, smart. Mild shelf wear. Moderate rubbing and fading to spine. Moderate marks to rear board. Very slight warping to boards. Stamp to rear free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally bright and clean, with the odd spot, crease, and minor ink notation. Moderate marks to text block top and bottom edges. Mild marks to text block fore edge. Small closed tear to folding map. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .