Henderson, George, and Allan O. Hume

FIRST EDITION, 8vo (245 x 150mm.), half-title, folding map, 38 hand-coloured lithographed plates, 3 geological plans (2 hand-coloured), 26 photographic illustrations on 16 plates, contemporary half calf, map and adjacent leaves heavily spotted, occasional spotting elsewhere

New South Wales Library of Parliament, gilt stamp on upper cover and spine

Yakushi (1994) H236; Zimmer p.297; not in Anker or Nissen

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."

Forsyth's first Yarkand expedition to Eastern Turkestan in 1870, undertaken to assess the threat from Russia and to initiate contact and trade with Yakub Beg, amir of Kashgar. Although the diplomatic mission was a failure (Yakub Beg was absent during his visit), Henderson and Hume's natural history researches were a success with seven new species of birds described, and information obtained on a further 151 species. Roughly half of the book is taken up with a narrative of the expedition and the other half with natural history results illustrated with hand-coloured plates of birds.