Scarcest of the great illustrated books on Afghanistan. The scarcest of the great illustrated books on Afghanistan, Character & Costumes of Afghaunistan by Captain Hart, a member of the 22nd Regiment Bombay Infantry, was a continuation of Sketches of Afghaunistan by James Atkinson. Among the many fine plates are views of the Khyber Pass, Kabul, Kandahar, the plain outside Bagram, Jalalabad; portraits of Dost Mohamed Khan (1793-1863), his retinue, the Emir's nephew on horseback, many tribal leaders and officials; and scenes of urban life such as a 'string of blind beggars,' a sherbet stall, and a kebab shop.

First edition; large folio (55 x 38 cm), pictorial lithographed title & 26 lithographed plates in old hand colour by Charles Haghe after Hart, hand-coloured map of Sinde and Afghanistan with engraved dedication to recto and the rare list of plates, printed in blue, 2 pages ads at end in blue, original tissue guards (1 with slight damage), original green morocco-backed moiré cloth, lettered in gilt to spine and upper cover, lightly rubbed, a fine copy with the plates clean and fresh.

Abbey (Travel), 511; Bobins 254; Colas 1380.