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Palgrave, William Gifford : Personal Narrative of a Year's Journey Through Central and Eastern Arabia (1862-63)

Macmillan and Co., London, England, 1877

"Ninth Thousand" printed on verso of half-title. Original publisher's dark green cloth binding with gilt lettering and gilt decoration of a camel on spine. Lightly impressed black illustration of a man and camel on front cover. 5 1/4" x 7 3/4." 427 pages, complete. Four additional pages of advertisements for other books in the back. Pages and covers are very clean and intact. Binding is tight. Pages slightly age-toned. Slight rubbing to covers and spine. Minuscule corner wear. A Very Good, almost Near Fine, copy. Autobiographical account of William Gifford Palgrave (1826-1888), an English missionary, diplomat, explorer, and Arabist, about his travels in Arabia from the Dead Sea to the Persian Gulf. This work was the result of an expedition sponsored by the French emperor, Napoleon III. The true mission of the journey was to further the interests of the French government at a time when Arabia was closed off to European travelers. Napoleon III was intent on learning the political stance of the Arab people toward France and also wanted to obtain purebred Arabian stallions for breeding in Europe. Palgrave, while known for his appreciation of Arab culture, writes from a colonial perspective in some parts of this account, especially in regards to his depictions of Arab people. After the expedition, Palgrave worked as a diplomat to Britain, which led him to traveling to other parts of the world including Thailand, the Philippines, Dutch Guyana, Indonesia, and the West Indies.. Book. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Hardcover

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