Russia
[CENTRAL ASIA] - MURAVYOV [MURAVEV], Nikolay [Nikolaevich].
Puteshestvie v Turkmeniyu i Khivu v 1819 i 1820 godakh [Journey to Khiva through the Turkoman Country].
Avgust Semen, Moskva, 1822. 2 parts in 1 volume 4to (26.7 x 21.2 cm) and 1 volume atlas (approx.39 x 24.5 cm). Text volumes: [6], 8, 179, [2] pp.; [2], 144, [1] pp., including half-titles and errata leaves, with an engraved scene, an engraved folding map and a letterpress table from the French 8vo edition laid-in; atlas: title, table of contents and 17 plates composed of 5 lithographed portraits by Jacques Fremy, 6 (out of 7) lithographed views and scenes signed in the plate by Karl Ivanovich Kollman and of various dimensions, 2 folding engraved plans, 2 folding engraved diagrammatic tables, 2 folding engraved maps; few tears skilfully repaired, lacking plate 12. Text volume bound in contemporary half calf over marbled boards, flat spine blind-stamped in compartments, Cyrillic lettering to one, speckled edges, atlas volume bound in modern half calf to match; text volume rebacked preserving original spine, corners repaired. Provenance: Aleksey Nikiforovich Mikhaylov (shelf-label on upper pastedown of text volume); Paul M. Fekula (the text only as num. 2093 in his catalogue).
First edition of the first work of Muravev, the only one published in his lifetime. Translated in French and German in the following years, it was published in English only 50 years later. Of great rarity with the atlas volume: apparently no copy with the atlas was sold at auction in the last 30 years and we could trace only 4 complete copies in public institutions outside Russia, all in the USA. Copies in the National Library of Russia and in the New York Public Library are incomplete. The present copy is lacking one of Kollmann's compositions only. Muravev's difficult and successful travel was the earliest significant Russian move in what was to be called 'the Great Game': the development of influence in the Caspian Basin and Central Asia during the 19th century. The young Muravev (1794-1866) was sent as a secret agent and charged by Russian authorities to establish friendly contact with Muhammed Rakhim, Khan of Khiva, after a century without communication. He had to persuade him to redirect caravan routes towards the Russian port at Krasnovodsk, but he should also gather intelligence on the Khan's military capacity. He also attempted to negotiate the release of as many as 3,000 Russian slaves of the Khanate. After he surprisingly returned alive, Muravev was received by the Tsar himself and published his celebrated work soon after. He lead then a brilliant military career, becoming general. In particular, he fought during the Crimean War on the Caucasus front and posthumously published the 'Voyna za kavkazom' - another work of reference. The atlas includes decorative plates by Kollmann as well as portraits by Fremy and maps. Fremy (1782-1867) was specialised in miniature portraits and contributed here to one of his earliest works in Russia, where he later portrayed the Tsar Alexander I and the imperial family, before taking part in the restauration of the Louvre in Paris. Kollmann (1786 or 88-1846) was one of the greatest engraver and lithographer in St. Petersburg, where he stayed all his life. He worked for the celebrated publisher Pluchart and engraved a part of Kruzenstern's atlas. His fine contribution to the present work is quoted by Thieme-Becker. Fekula 2093 (this copy); P. Hopkirk, 'The Great Game', pp. 7, 77-88; Thieme-Becker XII, 420 and XXI, 243.
Price: £ 18500
US Dollar Price: $ 27800
Stock Number: 72576