Caravan Journeys and Wanderings in Persia, Afghanistan, Turkistan, and Beloochistan;

£950 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

Scarce first edition in the original cloth. Joseph Philippe Ferrier (1811-1886) was a French officer who was seconded to the Persian army but removed from his post through Russian intrigues in 1843. In 1845 he left Baghdad to pursue his fortune in Lahore where several of his countrymen were serving under Ranjit Singh. He was one of the earliest Europeans to give an account of the parts of Afghanistan and central Asia through which he passed, largely around Herat from which he undertook several expeditions including to Gour and Kandahar, and describes the various peoples including the Uzbeks and their local politics. First edition; 8vo (23 x 15.5 cm); 3 woodcut plates including frontispiece, folding map to rear, bookplate and discreet booksellers ticket to pastedown; publisher's original blind-stamped brick red cloth, rebacked with original spine laid down, fore edge uncut, remains of glue to inner hinges, a little worn, a very good copy, remarkably clean internally; xii, [2], 534, 32 pp. Ghani p129; Yakushi F45a.

• Binding: Hardcover

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