The snows of Tibet through China
London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1892. First edition, 8vo, pp. xviii, 268; frontispiece portrait of the author, 29 plates, 3 illustrations in the text, and a folding map printed in color at the back; original pictorial blue cloth stamped in gilt on upper cover and spine; lightly rubbed, the spine a little darkened, else a very good, sound and clean copy. Bookplate of Wilson S. Howell. Pratt (1852-1924) was a member of the Royal Geographical Society "and in 1891 he received the Gill Memorial Award for the encouragement of geographical research in early career researchers who have shown great potential. In the same year he visited Tibet and China. In China his activities were treated with suspicion and notices were posted warning locals of assisting him. He made some progress by employing Chinese Christians. These employees were harassed by the locals and his German assistant had to retreat from his work. Whilst he was in Tatsienlu in China he met and was assisted by the French missionaries and naturalists Bishop Felix Biet and Father Jean André Soulié ... In 1892 he published an account of his journey The snows of Tibet through China. This book is thought to show that Pratt did not actually get to Tibet but he only got close enough to meet the missionaries who had been ejected from the country. Incidentally Pratt's book is thought to be a source for the work of Vladimir Nabokov" (Wikipedia). Yakushi P290a. See also "Chinese Rhubarb and Caterpillars" by Dieter E. Zimmer, a paper read at the International Vladimir Nabokov Symposium St. Petersburg, July 18, 2002. Item #67459
Price: $500.00
