Sir Marc Aurel Stein | Ancient Khotan. Detailed report of archaeological explorations in Chinese Turkestan. Oxford, 1907, 2 volumes, 4to, original cloth

Sir Marc Aurel Stein

Ancient Khotan. Detailed report of archaeological explorations in Chinese Turkestan. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1907

FIRST EDITION, 2 volumes, 4to (312 x 242mm), volume 1 (text): 34 plates; volume 2 (atlas): 119 plates including views and plans (some coloured), large folding map in rear pocket, original russet cloth, lettered in gilt, upper board with gilt medallion at centre, top edge gilt, expert restoration to upper board of plate volume, large folding map with browning to verso and minor closed tears at folds

A detailed and richly illustrated account of Stein's archaeological explorations in Chinese Turkestan in 1900-1901. Stein, undoubtedly the greatest explorer of Central Asia in the twentieth century, embarked upon a thorough exploration of Khotan and Chinese Turkestan following his discovery of remains of the oldest Indian manuscript known at the time. This work became one of Stein's rarest works, with only 300 copies of the first edition being printed.

PROVENANCE:

Biblioteca de Filippi shelfmark to upper pastedowns: probably Filippo De Filippi (1869-1938), Italian explorer who led a notable scientific expedition to Central Asia from 1913-14

LITERATURE:

Yakushi (1994) S714