Coq

1913 · rif. 191526 — Berlin: Dietrich Reimer Ernst Vohsen 1913. Finds that were scientifically important as well as spectacular First edition of this imposing portfolio showcasing some of the extraordinary discoveries made by Le Coq in Turfan between November 1904 and December 1905. Twenty-four of the plates concern the murals he removed from the Buddhist caves at Bezeklik. The originals were destroyed by bombs during the Second World War leaving Chotscho the sole surviving record of their brilliance. Born into a family of brewers Le Coq trained in Arabic Persian and Sanskrit in Berlin. Between 1904 and 1914 he helped organize three of the four German Turfan expeditions to investigate the history of the Silk Road in Xinjiang. For the second expedition known as the First Royal Prussian Expedition because it was the first to receive state funding Le Coq was joined by Theodor Bartus a veteran of the first expedition's team led by Albert Grünwedel. The two men travelled through the Turfan Oasis and along the northern Silk Road excavating at the ancient city of Gaocheng and exploring the sites of Sängim Bezeklik Murtuk and Toyuk. They united with the third expedition in Kashgar at the end of 1905. Overall Le Coq and Bartus collected enough wall paintings and ancient Christian and Buddhist texts to fill 103 crates. Copies were also issued in portfolios of brown cloth. No priority has been established. Folio. With 75 plates 45 colour of which 74 with accompanying explanatory sheet; 26 pp. of introductory letterpress. Text in German. Housed in publisher's half vellum portfolio spine lettered in gilt marbled sides linen flaps blue paper lining. Occasional marking and creasing plates bright portfolio lightly worn and soiled: very good indeed. Christoph Baumer The History of Central Asia: Volume II 2018. hardcover