Ramsay, Sir William Mitchell.

corrected proof copy, volume 1, part 1 only (of 2), 8vo (240 x 155mm.), half-title, folding coloured map of South-western Phyrgia, and map of Laodiceia, extensive corrections, additions and deletions in ink and pencil throughout by the author, occasional dated ink stamps of the Oxford University press, from 8 November 1894 to 16 March 1895, near contemporary green half calf by the Education Society's Press Byculla [Bombay, India], uncut

W.R. Macdonell, to whom sent by the author; later ownership inscription of David B. Adam, Westminster College, Cambridge

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

the author's corrected proof copy of his rarest and arguably most important work, whose alterations and notes help underline the points Ramsay was making in his finished text. A manuscript note in pencil on the preliminary blank states: "This is a complete copy of the first proof sheets, as set up from the MS direct, of Ramsay's book on the Cities & Bishoprics of Phyrgia, sent me by the author 3 July 1895. W.R. Macdonell."

Sir William Mitchell Ramsay (1851-1939), classical scholar and archaeologist, was educated at the universities of Aberdeen, St John's College Oxford and Göttingen. "In 1880 Ramsay was elected to an Oxford studentship for travel and research in Greek lands. At Smyrna he met Sir Charles W. Wilson, then British consul-general in Anatolia, who advised him to explore the unknown inland regions of the country and in whose company he made two long journeys in 1881-1882... Ramsay's enduring claim to distinction is the immense advance, based upon a rich harvest of new evidence, which he achieved in the knowledge of the geography and topography of Asia Minor and of its political, social, and cultural (including religious) history... Topography and history are combined in his local history of Phrygia (The Cities and Bishoprics of Phrygia, 1895, 1897), uncompleted for lack of adequate evidence." (ODNB)

A contemporary review of part one of Ramsay's study thought that the work, when completed, would be ''the most important work of the kind that has been published in recent times.'' (Geographical Review, February, 1896). A second part was published in 1897, but no further volumes. The published work (1895-97) contained 3 folding maps, 2 plans and 3 plates.