This is the second of Atkinson's works to be published after his return from St. Petersburg. He accompanied his uncle James Walker there when the latter had been appointed engraver to the Empress Catherine and had returned in 1801 after 18 years spent in Russia. Dedicated to Alexander I, whose portrait is in frontispiece.

'These plates [...] show the spontaneity and spirit possible when the artist is his own engraver. [...] The colouring is skilfully done, in soft washes' (Abbey). Many subjects are here dealt with for the first, and often only, time in a European publication.

The work is bound with volume one of Tableau générale de l'empire Othoman, a monumental work on the Ottoman court undertaken by Swedish diplomat, Ignatius Mouradgea d'Ohsson. Having a firm grasp of both Arabic and Turkish allowed d'Ohsson to witness aspects of everyday life at court that were normally inaccessible to Europeans. The plates present here depict the city's sites as well as religious and ceremonial ceremonies.

First edition; 3 vols in one; frontispiece portrait, 100 colour plates, text in French and English, water stain effecting the latter plates, half dark green morocco, spine with gilt tooling and the title 'Russians and Turks', slightly worn; [bound with] Tableau générale de l'empire Othoman, Imprimerie de Monsieur, Paris, 1787, vol. I only, engraved title-page, dedication to King of Sweden, 41 plates, several folding, missing 3 plates (13,19 and 36).