Brydges, Harford Jones

FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes in one, 8vo (213 x 126mm.), (vol.1) viii, 472, xxiv, [ii] pp.; (vol.2) [ii], vi, 7-238pp., half-title in volume 1, folding lithographed map, 11 lithographed plates, contemporary pale calf, full gilt spine, red label, covers bordered in gilt, blue marbled endpapers and edges, by Ingalton of Eton, some spotting and browning to plates and adjacent leaves

Ghani p.53-54 (reprint); Wilson p.33

A very good copy
"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 first political and commercial treaty between Great Britain and Persia was concluded in 1801; when the East India Company sent John Malcolm to the Court of Fath Ali Shah. Persia undertook to attack the Afghans if they were to move against India, while the British undertook to come to the defence of Persia if they were attacked by either the Afghans or the French. When the Russians intensified their attacks on the Caucasian Provinces in 1803 annexing large territories, Fath Ali Shah appealed to the British for help, but was refused on the ground that Russia was not included in the Treaty. The Persians thus turned to the French and concluded the Treaty of Finkenstein in 1807. It was against this background that Harford Jones, who was the chief resident at Basra for the East India Company, was sent to Persia by the Foreign Office in 1809... The French who had now entered into a treaty with Russia (the treaty of Tilsit in 1807) had lost interest in Persia and removed their political and military missions. Thus the British were able to conclude another treaty with Persia (the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance, also called the Treaty of Tehran) which bound Britain to assist Persia in case any European nation invaded her (even if Britain had a treaty with that Nation). This treaty was not honoured by the British after the first Persian-Russian War. There were two later revisions to the Treaty: 17 March 1812 and 25 November 1814" (Ghani p.53-54)

Volume 2 is devoted exclusively to the Wahabis, tracing their history from the mid-eighteenth century to their defeat by Egyptian Ottoman forces at the site of the Wahabi capital, Darîyah (Dereyah), in 1818.