“THE FIRST GEOGRAPHICAL AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL ACCOUNT OF THE REGION IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY”

(KURDISTAN) RICH, Claudius James. Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; with Journal of a Voyage Down the Tigris to Bagdad and an Account of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis. London: James Duncan, 1836. Two volumes. Octavo, modern half brown calf gilt, raised bands, black and green morocco spine labels, marbled boards. $3200.

First edition of Rich’s “most important and notable work,” illustrated with two folding frontispiece maps, one folding plan, ten lithographed plates (three folding) and numerous in-text woodcuts, handsomely bound.

At age nine, Rich "developed a curiosity for Arabic manuscripts and oriental languages," laying the foundation for his career as an orientalist, archaeologist and traveler (Howgego 1800-1850, 502). His "most important and notable work," the Narrative "is still valuable, not merely as the first geographical and archaeological account of the region in the [19th] century but as an interesting and suggestive narrative of travel" (DNB). The work, edited by Rich's widow, appeared 16 years after its authors death. With two folding frontispiece maps, one folding plan, ten lithographed plates (three folding) and numerous in-text woodcuts.

A fine copy.