Ruins of Desert Cathay [2 Vols.]:

Personal Narrative of Explorations in Central Asia and Westernmost China

by M. Aurel Stein 

First edition, two volumes.  London:  Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1912 

Hardback set is overall in VERY GOOD+ condition.

• Brown cloth covers have gilt medallion on cover. 
• Boards show some rubbing to gilt, smudges, edgewear. Corners are bumped, scuffed.  See photos. 
• Spines have gilt text and are darkened, with bumped, crushed ends.  
• Bindings are secure. 
• Pastedowns and feps have some light foxing, toning. 
• Frontispieces are present, with intact tissue guards.  Volume I has a color plate, Volume 2 has a photographic portrait of the author.  See photos.  
• Foldout maps are present.
• Illustrations, including many black and white photographs, are clear. 
• Interior exhibits minimal signs of age and wear.  Inside pages are free of writing and intentional marks.
• Text block edges have deckle fore and foot edges, gilt along head, have some foxing at the deckle edge. 
• PS2024.0207

1063 pages. 6.5 x 9.25 inches

This is a very good first edition copy of this important account of archeological and geographical exploration in Central Asia.  Inside the publisher's original brown cloth covers, the text block is very bright and crisp, with clear illustrations and foldout maps in fine condition.

The Hungarian born Aurel Stein (1862-1943) was a British archaeologist and geographer noted for his pioneering exploration of Central Asia and the Dunhuang caves.  This is an account of his second major expedition from 1906-1908 undertaken at the behest of the Government of India.  Returning to Khotan, Stein extended his original explorations farther eastwards for nearly a thousand miles.

With 7 color plates, 333 illustrations in the text, 6 panoramas, and 3 folding maps.

First edition.

Please see photos. More photos available upon request.

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