In the 17th century things were very different. Iranian culture was admired throughout Europe and it was seen as a beacon of civilization. It also sat right at the heart of Central Asia, and was not only a potential trading partner, but was also seen as a bulwark against the Ottoman Empire to the west, and Russia to the north. This can clearly be seen in the separately published map, Persia and Afghanistan, 1906 (above).

The Sherley brothers, Robert and Anthony, were despatched by the British government to forge relations with Iran. Arriving in 1600, Robert was tasked with modernising the Safavid army to better defend themselves against the Ottomans. He was to stay in Iran on and off until his death in the 1620’s. Anthony didn’t stay so long but successfully concluded trade treaties protecting English merchants in the region. We have the first collected edition of their original works, The Three Brothers; or the travels and adventures of Sir Anthony, Sir Robert, and Sir Thomas Sherley, 1825. A most beautiful copy in contemporary morocco gilt.

In the 18th century the Iranian empire more or less collapsed following an invasion from Afghanistan. Britain was very much in the ascendency at this time and was developing an empire in India. This drew the two countries together as much of northern India had been within the Iranian sphere of influence and there was a shared culture. This state of affairs continued into the nineteenth century when things started to get messy with the rivalry in central Asia between Britain and Russia, the so-called ‘Great Game’.