Voyage dans la Russie Méridionale.

the atabey copy

First edition of this important work known for its large view of Tbilisi. The fine plates illustrate the shores of the Black Sea and the Caucasus and include natural history subjects, views and native peoples. The 34 coloured plates are after Chopin and show an extensive array of costumes, both military and civilian, found in the Caucasus. Gamba made two voyages to Russia: in 1820 at the orders of the Duc de Richelieu, and in 1824 after becoming consul for Tbilisi the previous year.

The Atabey copy (of the atlas), with the library stamp called for.

First edition; atlas vol (34.5 x 25.5 cm) 2 text vols 8vo (21.5 x 14cm);[atlas] 60 plates including 34 fine hand-coloured lithographs by Engelman after Chopin of costumes, 5 maps and plans, and 16 views, 2 of which folding, discreet bookplate to front pastedown, unobtrusive library stamp to title, a touch of toning to corners of title otherwise clean and tight internally; later calf-backed marbled boards, spine lettered and filleted in gilt, later marbled endpapers, a touch of rubbing to extremities, boards a little darkened, [text] four folding maps (one with colour outline), some scattered foxing; green calf backed marbled boards, with raised bands, blind tooling and gilt titles, a very good set.

Atabey 475; Colas 1172; Brunet II, 1473.