Through Asia

London: Methuen & Co, 1898. First edition. Cloth. Good. 9.5" by 7". Sven Hedin. The first edition in English of Sven Hedin's account of his impressive exploration of Central Asia, a brilliant illustrated work. First edition in English. This work was originally published in Swedish as 'En Färd Genom Asien'.Complete in two volumes.Volume I illustrated with a frontispiece, one folding map, two colour plates, three monochrome plates, and many full paged and in-text photographs throughout.Volume II illustrated with a frontispiece, one colour plate, two monochrome plates, and many full paged and in-text photographs throughout.Collated, Volume II is bound without the folding map, however all other plates are present.Between 1893 and 1897 the Swedish geographer Sven Hedin set out from Sweden to explore Central Asia, crossing through Northern Tibet, Russia, the Gobi Desert, and many more beautiful places. Hedin is notable for making the Transhimalaya known in the West, and for locating the sources of the Brahmaputra, Indus, and Sutlej Rivers. This work recounts Hedin's important explorations and his first big expedition to Asia; he went on to undertake three more expeditions. Notably it also includes one of his most famous stories, of the death march through the Taklamakan Desert.Institutional label of Richmond College, Surrey, to the front paste downs. In the original publisher's cloth binding. Externally, with some lifting and a little loss to the head and tail of the spines. Minor bumping to the extremities. A few light marks to the boards and spine. Small chip to the spine of Volume II next to the author's name. Small crack to the head of the rear joint of Volume I. Spines are lightly discoloured. Front hinge of Volume I is strained. Front hinge of Volume II is starting but firm. Institutional label and numerical ink to the front paste downs. Internally, generally firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean with some scattered spots to the first and last few pages. Volume II is bound without the folding map. Good