Russie

Folding map, numerous black and white engravings, xvi + 533pp + 2 adverts, index, original blind stamped cloth, slightly worn, teared on top of spine. Text and plates are clean and very bright. "Atkinson's original objective in undertaking these travels was to sketch the scenery of Siberia. He traveled on a czar's pass out of Russia's Asiatic dominions from Kokhan on the west to the eastern end of the Baikal and as far south as the Chinese town of Tchin-si; and into the immense Syan-shan chain, never before seen by any European and a great portion of the western part of the Gobi. He crossed over 39,500 miles in 7 years penetrating into areas most probably never seen by a white man. He suffered significantly, from hunger and thirst and was placed in critical situations amongst Central Asian tribes and among escaped Chinese prisoners. Atkinson produce at least 560 sketches of the scenery, executed in colours. A number are exquisitely produced in this volume and in lithographed colours as well. His book has over the years become known as one of the greatest accounts of European travel into Central and Eastern Asia".