Footprints Across Central Asia | Stein & Hedin

British expansion in Central Asia in the early twentieth century brings together the geographical, cultural, and political imperatives for exploration in the region. At that time the area was little explored by Europeans, yet it was hugely important for the British who were still locked in the ‘Great Game’ with Russia with the aim of keeping the Russians out of India, and to keep Tibet as a buffer state between India and China. This latter desire, including the ‘de facto’ recognition of Tibet as an independent state, would have consequences for the region in later years.

Sir Marc Aurel Stein (1862-1942), a Hungarian-born explorer employed by the British in India, made four expeditions to China, the three main ones largely in and around the ancient Buddhist state of Khotan in Xinjiang between 1900 and 1916. The collections of artefacts which he brought he brought back with him form the backbone of the British Library’s collection of Central Asian materials, but he is now seen as a very controversial figure – one might say  ‘licensed to loot’. On the plus side, he helped bring to light the relics of a great ancient civilization which might otherwise, over time, have been widely dispersed or lost completely. On the other hand, he bought for a pittance and removed industrial quantities of manuscripts, textiles, and paintings that perhaps should have remained in China.

One of the scarcest books by Stein is Mountain Panoramas from the Pamirs and Kwen Lun (1908). This is from his first expedition to Chinese Turkestan in 1900-1901. The Kunlun Mountains form the southern boundary of Xinjiang and run 3000 kilometres from the Pamirs in Tajikistan to the northern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. Kunlun mountain is sometimes referred to in mythology as the birthplace of the Chinese Nation. The book is illustrated with a large colour map and 23 panoramic plates which perfectly capture the wild, rugged terrain.

The expedition that really made his name was his second, from 1906 to 1909. It was on this one that he met the Buddhist monk who had discovered the Cave of the Thousand Buddhas, a sealed-up treasure trove containing some 50,000 manuscripts. Stein pretty much bought the lot. The popular narrative of this is found in the two-volume Ruins of Desert Cathay, published in 1912. Our copy is remarkable for being one of the very few remaining with its pictorial dust wrappers. A desirable book in any form, with the wrappers it is a great rarity with only one copy appearing at auction in the last dozen years.

As with other explorers along the Silk Routes, Stein took a great interest in the campaigns of Alexander the Great. Stein was able to indulge his interest at the expense of the Indian Government. The narrative of this is found in On Alexander’s Tracks to the Indus (1930 ) which marks a turning away from China. Our copy is the earliest issue with a gilt medallion to the upper cover.

While Stein was active in Xinjing, The Swedish explorer, Sven Hedin (1865-1952), was exploring Tibet. Hedin made four expeditions to the region. The first was a bit of a non-event from a geographical point of view, as he was turned back at the Tibetan border. His second expedition, 1899-1902, was a different matter. He gained entry to Tibet and embarked on a series of explorations including around the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang where he made many important scientific discoveries.

These are contained in the Scientific Results of a Journey in Central Asia 1899-1902, which consist of 10 large volumes. A rare work with only 300 copies published, our copy is particularly special being one of a handful of inscribed presentation copies printed on special paper and specially bound. This copy is inscribed to the Swedish Foreign Minister. We have only been able to trace one other of these special copies, presented to the Governor of India and sold at auction in the 1950’s. This is a great opportunity to obtain a once in a lifetime copy.

Hedin’s third expedition, and probably his best known, took place from 1906 to 1908. The results were published from 1916 to 1922 in Southern Tibet. The thirteen large volumes contain not only 98 maps and 552 panoramas, but also a complete survey of the Trans-Himalaya, along with a survey and history of Tibetan exploration up to that time. It also records Hedin’s discovery of the source of the Indus, Sutlej, and Brahmaputra Rivers. This was the last word in Tibetan geography and discovery up until the present day.  One of the most important expeditions of the twentieth century that really filled in a lot of blanks on the map. Our copy is a beautiful set in the original wrappers.

Written by Julian MacKenzie

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