Falconry in the valley of the Indus
London: John Van Voorst, 1852. First edition, 8vo, pp. xii, [4], 107, [1], [8] ads; 4 lithograph plates; top of spine chipped and spine a little discolored, else a very good, sound copy in original purple cloth, gilt-lettering direct on spine. Largely unopened. Only 500 were printed but by 1877 257 remained unsold. Penzer, p. 41, quoting Burton: "It was brought out by my friend John Van Voorst ... He proved himself to be a phoenix among publishers. 'Half profits and no profits to the author,' is the common saying; however, for the last thirty years I have continually received from him small sums, which represented my gains. Would that all were so scrupulous!" Casada 34: "This book is today considered a classic, though it created little fanfare at the time of its appearance. Much in demand among collectors of Burtoniana, it is an intriguing excursion into a pastime which almost predictably appealed to a man Burton's temperment. The work is set in the Sindh during 1845 and 1846, when Burton enjoyed many happy hours hunting with the region's accomplished falconers." Abbey, Travel 479; Schwerdt I, 90. Item #30204
Price: $3,500.00
