Travel
BURNES, Lieut. Alexander.
Travels into Bokhara; being the account of a journey from India to Cabool, Tartary, and Persia; also, narrative of a voyage on the Indus, from the sea to Lahore, with presents from the king of Great Britain; performed under the orders of the Supreme Government of India, in the years 1831, 1832, and 1833 ... With an entirely new map, constructed by Mr. John Arrowsmith, from the surveys of Lt. Burnes, combined with the latest and best information from other sources.
John Murray, London 1834. First edition. 4 volumes, 8vo., (3 volumes text, 1 volume map) half-titles to text volumes, 8 lithographed plates, one double page, the last two of coins, contemporary calf gilt, marbled sides, the separate large folding map by Arrowsmith, hand-coloured in outline, in original pebble-grained green cloth, original paper label to upper cover, spines faded, a little light foxing, an excellent set. Provenance: Richard Brinsley Sheridan (armorial bookplate).
Scarce with the folding map. "Burnes was of the India's Company Service and after a successful mission to the Court of Lahore, during which he mapped the course of the Indus, he proposed to go further and cross Central Asia from the Indus to the Caspian. Burnes did not travel as an accredited agent of the government as it was considered too risky, but he did travel with papers stating that he was an officer returning home on leave. The book is thus an account of a famous journey written by an early spy. He visited Kabul where he met Joseph Wolff who had been travelling in the region disguised as a Moslem to preach Christianity to the Jews. Thence he proceeded via Balkh to Bokhara, and on to the Oxus, Marv and Khorasan. Volume III describes in some detail the geography of each of the regions he passed through." (Ghani). Ghani p60.
Price: £ 3750
US Dollar Price: $ 7440
Stock Number: 77339