Russia
BELL, John.
Travels from St. Petersburg in Russia, to diverse parts of Asia.
Foulis, Glasgow, 1763. 2 volumes, 4to (24 x 19 cm). xvii-[3]-357-[2]; 426-[1] pp., errata slip, subsribers list, engraved folding map; map slightly frayed at edge. Contemporary half calf over marbled boards, flat spine lettered in gilt; bookplates, volume 1 with spine flaked and nicked at top.
VERY GOOD COPY OF THE FIRST EDITION, with an engraved map showing the route taken between Moscow and Peking with 'the north front of Pekin' in a decorative inset. In 1715, the Tsar sent one Volynaskiy as his ambassador to the court of Shah Soltan Hossein. The author was a young Scottish adventurer with some medical and surgical training, who was appointed, on the recommendation of friends with whom he was staying in Russia, as the doctor to the embassy. The book was written years later from journals kept at the time, when Bell was about 70 years old. The second volume contains accounts of embassies to Peking and Constantinople. "Printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis of Glasgow whose beautiful font enhances the value of the book." (DNB) Ghani p35; Blackmer 111; Cordier Sinica 2093.
Price: £ 2000
US Dollar Price: $ 0
Stock Number: 71084