- 34
Chesney, Francis Rawdon
Estimate
2,500 - 4,000 GBP
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Description
- Chesney, Francis Rawdon
- The Expedition for the Survey of the Rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, 1850
- paper
First edition, volumes 1 and 2 of text (all published, see footnote) and slipcase of maps, together 3 volumes, 4to (text 301 x 228mm.; maps 343 x 275mm.), large paper, presentation copy, inscribed "W.P. Andrew from his friend the Author 1856", half-title in volume 2, 2 tinted lithographed frontispieces, 47 plates and 3 folding tables, engraved folding map in lower cover of volume 1, hand-coloured in outline, 13 folding maps in slipcase, nineteenth-century morocco gilt, maps in modern morocco-backed slipcase, lacking half title in vol.1, map in vol.1 with slight wear at folds, maps very slightly offset, text bindings a bit rubbed
Provenance
Royal United Service Institution, bookplate pasted to verso of map in folder; Sefik E. Atabey, book label, sale in these rooms, 28 May 2002, lot 236
Literature
Atabey 234; Blackmer 337
Condition
the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Chesney explored the Euphrates twice, at first alone, on a raft, in secret and at great risk (he frequently came under fire from hostile Arabs) and later by steamer, although the second attempt was no less fraught with difficulty than the first (the Tigris was wrecked and there were numerous physical obstacles to overcome). He was sent to China before finishing this work and part of the manuscript was lost, hence only two volumes were published (four are called for on the title-page).
In addition to Iraq, there is considerable information on Turkey, Syria, Palestine, Arabia (including Mecca), the Nejd, Hadramaut and Oman.