This is the first volume of the second edition of Jonas Hanway's important work on his travels to the Caspian, published just one year after the first edition. Hanway (1712-86) was a merchant, traveler, and philanthropist who partnered with a commercial firm based in St. Petersburg in 1743. As part of his duties with this firm, Hanway traveled from St. Petersburg across the Caspian Sea to the Persian city of Astrabad (present-day Gorgan) and back again, a journey that spanned 15 months from September 1743 to New Year's Day, 1745, thanks to run-ins with pirates, disease, and quarantine. He would eventually return to his native England in 1750, where he published this narrative of his travels. The first volume covers the history of English trade in the Caspian region before moving onto Hanway's own adventures. It features 8 foldout maps, including The Several Routs, to and from Persia Taken from the Map, Presented to the House of Lords... (21.3 x 12.9"); The Author's Routs from London as Far as Zaritzen, & Back Through Russia Germany and Holland (19.3 x 6.6"); A Plain Chart of the Caspian Sea... (21.3 x 13.7"); and A Map of the Routs of the Russian Embassy, to Persia in 1746... (19.6 x 17.8"), all engraved by John Gibson. The book is illustrated by a number of engravings, including a frontispiece showing the meeting of the personifications of Britannia and Persia before a map; Peter the Great; the Empress of Russia; and various sights and scenes from Hanway's travels. 460 pages plus an index. Rebound in green cloth with title on spine.

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Condition: B

Maps are in good condition with binding tears ranging from 0.5" to 3.5", along with light offsetting and scattered foxing. A few maps and the frontispiece have tears that have been repaired with cello tape on verso. Text has light toning and scattered foxing. Rebound with only minor scuffs and soiling on the covers.