The exploration of the Caucasus.

London, Edward Arnold, 1896. . Large paper edition, no. 54 of 100 copies, 2 volumes, 4to (32 x 25 cm), xxii, 278; x, 295pp., two photogravure frontispieces and 72 photogravure plates, all printed on thin paper and mounted, 4 folding maps, 3 folding photographic panoramas, 2 other photographic plates reprinted from the Royal Geographical Society. Original vellum-backed buckram, top edges gilt, others uncut, some marks to spines, corners bumped, covers slightly faded, a very good set.
One of the finest books on the Caucasus. Freshfield was a former President of the Alpine Club and an honorary secretary of the Royal Geographical Society. In 1868 he explored, with Charles Comyns Tucker, Adolphus Warburton Moore, and his lifelong friend François Devouassoud, the central Caucasus which, except for the lower heights, were then unknown. He made the first ascent of Kazbek (16,546 ft.), Elbruz (18,470 ft.), and several other peaks. After returning to the Caucasus in 1887 and 1889 he published the present book. The photographic record assembled was an important part of the work, with much of the photography by Vittorio Sella. Freshfield says in his preface, 'I know of no case where a region, hitherto mysterious, has been so suddenly and completely revealed in all its details, as the Central Caucasus has been by Signor Vittorio Sella.'
Neate F62.