A Pedestrian Journey through Russia and Siberian Tartary, to the Frontiers of China, the Frozen Sea, and Kamtchatka

Description

Original half grey calf, marbled paper to boards. Gilt fillets to leather on boards. Low raised bands, gilt decor, and two red gilt labels per spine. All edges marbled. 12mos (9.8 x 14.8cm). Mild wear to board and spine edges. Hinges sound. Endpapers uncracked at gutters. Portrait frontis (Cochrane to vol. I; Mrs Cochrane to vol. II) and additional engraved title page with vignette per vol. Large folding map to vol. II, just starting at inner fold but otherwise intact. First Scottish edition of this classic travel narrative, first published in 1824. John Dundas Cochrane (1793-1825) was the illegitimate scion of a renowned naval family, being the cousin of Admiral Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald, and nephew of Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane. Having joined the navy when he was ten years old, following the peace of 1814 Cochrane applied to explore the river Niger on behalf of the Admiralty. This being refused, he set out on a set of remarkable journeys, travelling by foot first across Europe and then through Russia as far as Kamchatka, where he married the daughter of Admiral Pyotr Rikord, the Russian governor of Kamchatka. Having returned to England with his wife, he later journeyed to South America, intending again to cross the continent by foot, but died in what is now Venezuela. His account of his travels in Russia and Siberia, which went through several editions, is ‘lively and contains much interesting incident’; ‘Cochrane’s courage still commands respect’ (ODNB). Robust packaging. Tracking can be added to overseas orders on request. Used books are exempt from USA tariffs.