HEDIN, Sven. Central Asia and Tibet. Towards the Holy City of Lassa. London, Hurst & Blackett, 1903.
Two volumes, 8vo. Publisher's original red cloth, image of camel train blocked in gilt to upper covers, lettered in gilt to upper covers and spines, top edges gilt; pp. xix, 608; xiv, 664; 8 coloure plates, numerous black and white plates and illustrations, five folding colour maps; cloth a little dulled, very minor spotting to preliminary leaves, one fly-leaf with inoffensive traces of glue used for the bookplate opposite, but generally a good copy, internally very clean and fresh, mid-century booplates inside front covers.
First edition in English, and not the Transatlantic issue in collaboration with Scribner. Hedin's account of his explorations of 1899-1902 in the Kunlun and Taklamakan desert, made in the wake of Przhevalsky's own travels. Hedin was the first to uncover the sand-buried cities of the so-called "Silk Road". His attempt in 1900-1901 to reach Lhasa was foiled by the Tibetans. Hedin was ultimately beaten to his goal by Ekai Kawaguchi, a Japanese traveller and Scholar.
Yakushi H100.
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