A Journal, kept on a Journey from Bassora to Bagdad; over the Little Desert, to Aleppo, Cyprus, Rhodes, Zante, Corfu; and Otranto, in Italy; in the Year 1779.
Horsham [althouth perhaps Lewes?]: Printed by Arthur Lee; and Sold by J. F. and C. Rivington, 1784.
First edition. [8], xi [1 (blank)], 155 [1 (blank)]pp., including a three page list of subscribers. 8vo. Contemporary speckled calf, red morocco lettering piece. Early ink inscription on title "Kelso Library" and shelf locations on the pastedown, lacks the endpapers, repaired tear to D6 without loss, minor foxing ESTC T90227; cf. Howgego P117; Ghani, p. 125. Not in Atabey or Blackmer. Item #332843
Published anonymously by a British agent of the East India Company returning from India by the desert route, this very scarce Journal has been attributed by some to Charles Eversfield (one of the subscribers), though was actually authored by Samuel Evers (clerk to Thomas Medwin, the solicitor uncle of Shelley). The work gives an account of the author’s journey by boat up the Tigris then overland to Baghdad, and thence by caravan to Aleppo and the Mediterranean. "He recounts his observations of customs, town life, encounters with local governors and Sheikhs … and the progress of the current armed conflict between the Turks, with their Arab army, and the Persians in the region of Basra” (Ghani). A fragment of the original manuscript survives at the Horsham Museum.
Given the provincial imprint and the list of 134 subscribers purchasing but 144 copies, the work is very scarce. Only two examples are recorded in the auction records in the last 20 years, each selling for £12,500, in 2014 and 2016 respectively.
Price: $15,000.00 Free International Delivery
