Travels in Georgia, Persia, Armenia, Ancient Babylonia,

in the original boards

One of the great illustrated books on Persia in the original boards.

Having been a court painter in St. Petersburg, Porter (1777-1842) decided to undertake these travels for the purpose of archaeological investigation. One of his aims was to correct errors in the drawings of earlier travellers such as Chardin and Le Bruin. His work therefore contains many archaeological plates, as well as scenic views and (coloured) costumes.

From Russia, Porter travelled to Tabriz. Here he met Abbas Mirza, with whom he spent considerable time. The two then travelled on to Tehran, where Porter was granted an audience with Fath Ali Shah, whom he found to be very impressive. Porter then travelled to Esfahan, Persepolis, and Shiraz. 'An intelligent and readable book' (Ghani).

First edition; 2 vols, 4to (30 x 23 cm); 10 engraved maps & plans, 2 of which folding, 82 plates (engraved or aquatint) including frontispieces, some folding and 5 coloured by hand, further wood-engravings in-text, original ads. pamphlet bound at front, a little occasional soiling as expected in an uncut copy, marginal dampstaining to frontis. of vol. 2; publisher's original boards, original printed spine labels, edges uncut, spines restored retaining original spine, a very good copy; xxiii, 720; xiv, [ii], 869, [2, ads.] pp.

Abbey (Travel), 359; Atabey 976; Ghani p.304; Weber I, 104; Wilson p.177.