Original edition of one of the first reports made by an eyewitness of the exploitation of the gold and diamond mines in Brazil. John Mawe (1764-1829), trader, traveller and geologist, born in Derby, traveled between 1807 and 1810 through Brazil, having been received by the Prince Regent who authorized him to visit the gold and diamond mines of Minas Gerais where Mawe stayed for two years. The work quickly gained large public acceptance having been translated into French, Swedish, German, Dutch and Portuguese. Of the nine intaglio engravings (en taille-douce), the last but one, representing minerals collected by the author, is coloured by hand. Copy with some acidity and slight offset of the engravings on the facing pages (as happens in most copies). Cover page with central imperfection (no lack of support), showing signs of deleted circular stamp on the back, causing some abrasion, disguised by crowned Ex-Libris (Count of Paraty), pasted on the imperfection. British heraldic Ex-libris (Mary Bryant Sprague) on the back cover. Binding of the time, entire calf. Half-leather binding, of the time, somewhat fatigued.