F. A. C. Forbes-Leith

Checkmate Fighting Tradition in Central Persia

London, George G. Harrap & Company LTD. 1927. First edition. Cloth. A nice example of the first edition of this detailed account of life and work in Persia at the beginning of the twentieth century, illustrated throughout. The first edition of this work.'Checkmate' is Forbes-Leith's first hand account of his time in the service of one of the feudal nobleman of Persia.Illustrated with a frontispiece, and fourteen plates.Collated, complete.Written by Francis Arthur Cornelius Forbes-Leith, who also wrote 'By Car to India&apos. In the original publisher's cloth binding. Externally, smart. A few minor marks to the boards and spine. Light bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Light spots to the fore edge. Front hinge is starting but firm. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean with just the odd light spot. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 725P2

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: persia Checkmate Fighting Tradition in Central Persia checkmate persians Checkmate Fighting Tradition in Central Persia francis arthur cornelius forbes-leith iran Not Stated

William Lockhart

The Medical Missionary in China: A Narrative of Twenty Years&Apos; Experience

London, Hurst and Blackett , 1861. Leather. A very scarce work, this book shares Lockhart's experiences in the late Quing-Dynasty China, the second edition. William Lockhart, of the London Missionary Society, shared his experiences in the medical missionary work in China, valuable in giving facilities for the more direct preaching of the Gospel. This work aims at proving the success of such work to expand it to the other countries such as India. Dealing with a great variety of topics such as opium, Triads, Chinese warfare or hospital conditions. The second edition, which appeared in the same year as the first. A very scarce work in all editions. Illustrated with a coloured frontispiece. Collated, complete. in a half morocco binding over cloth covered boards. Externally sound with some shelf wear and cracking to the joints, which are firm, a loss to the head and tail of the spine and extremities. The leather is fairly rubbed. Ex-library with library shelf inked to the spine. With a library bookplate to the front pastedown and evidence of a removal of a sticker to the front free endpaper. With library stamps to the front free endpaper, title page, and rear free endpaper, with the occasional library inscription to the odd leaf. Internally, generally firmly bound with the hinges slightly strained to the frontispiece and title page. Amateurish repairs to the hinges with cloth tape which may detach with further handling. With a closed tear to the title page. With a minor stain mark to the frontispiece , not affecting the other leaves of text which are generally very clean throughout. Illustrated with a coloured frontispiece. Collated, complete. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 792A8

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: second editions missionary work china missionary work Not Stated

Bronislaw Malinowski; Sir James George Frazer

Argonauts of the Western Pacific

London, Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd. 1953. Cloth. A smart fourth impression of this illustrated work on the Western Pacific. Scarce fourth impression, originally published 1922. Illustrated with sixty-five images on plates, five maps, three tables, and two in-text figures. Collated complete. A detailed social study of the people of the Western Pacific, with reference to canoes and sailing, ceremonies, overseas expeditions, sociology, mythology, fishing and working, linguistics, and much more. With commentary on the exploration and travel around various islands. Written by Bronislaw Malinowski, a Polish-British anthropologist and ethnologist whose works have had a lasting influence on the discipline on anthropology. With a preface by Sir James George Frazer, a Scottish anthropologist and folklorist. In the original blue cloth binding. Externally, smart with light rubbing and shelf wear to the extremities. Light fading to the spine and the odd mark to the board. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright with light scattered spotting, predominantly to the first and last few pages. Previous owner's stamp to the front endpaper. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 874T39

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: Argonauts Western Pacific Malinowski Frazer Western Pacific Not Stated

Fosco Maraini; Peter Green [translator]

Where Four Worlds Meet: Hindu Kush 1959

London, Hamish Hamilton, 1964. First edition. Cloth. A first edition of this exciting account of mountain-climbing expeditions in the Himalayas, with photographs. First edition. Translated from the original Italian. Illustrated with one hundred and sixty-three photographs, many of which are in colour, and three maps, two of which are folding. Collated complete. An exciting account of mountain-climbing expeditions in the Himalayas with details of delays and dangers, cold and exhaustion, then reaching the summit. Written by Fosco Maraini, an Italian photographer, ethnologist, writer, mountaineer, academic, and anthropologist. Translated by Peter Green, a British scholar, writer, and translator. With maps drawn by Joan Emerson. In the original brown cloth binding. Externally, excellent. Original price-clipped dust wrapper is smart with light shelf wear and chipping to the extremities and the odd mark to the boards. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout. Near Fine . Ill.: Fosco Maraini; Joan Emerson. Near Fine/Very Good.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 863T1

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: Four Worlds Meet Hindu Worlds Maraini Green Fosco Maraini; Joan Emerson

Kate Marsden

On Sledge and Horseback to the Outcast Siberian Lepers

London , The Record Press Limited, 1892. Cloth. A account of the journey made by Kate Marsden to visit lepers in Siberia. Second edition. With two double-page facsimile letters to the front, detailing Queen Victoria's interest in the works of Marsden. Illustrated throughout with twenty-five plates, including a full-page map. Kate Marsden (1859 – 1931) was a battle-hardened nurse who had cared for the wounded during the war between Russia and Turkey in 1878. Yet even those wartime experiences had not prepared her for the grueling equestrian journey she undertook in 1891. Having learned of the horrific conditions under which Russian lepers were forced to live, the resolute nurse sought out the imperial assistance of England"s Queen Victoria, as well as the Empress of Russia, then set off to ride thousands of miles across the wilds of Siberia. The nurse, turned equestrian explorer, was intent on bringing medical relief to Russia"s forgotten wounded, as well as finding a herb which was allegedly a cure for leprosy. After having completed one of the most difficult equestrian journeys of the late 19th century, Marsden returned to England where the intrepid Long Rider became one of the first women to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. (LRG) In a blue cloth binding with gilt detailing. Externally, sound, though with some slight bumping and edgewear. Some light rubbing also. Hinges are strained. Internally, generally firmly bound although strained in places. Ink signature to front free-endpaper. Pages are bright and clean, with just the odd handling marks and some foxing to the tissue guards. Good . Ill.: None. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: GEN37-F-15

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: Kate Marsden Siberia Lepers Siberia None

Congres des Orientalistes de Marseille

Congres International Des Orientalistes: Rendu de la Premiere Session. Paris - 1873. Tomes I Et II.

Paris, Maisonneuve, 1876 . Leather. The very scarce publication of volumes I and II of the International Congress of Orientalists. In the original French, but with examples of text in Chinese, Akkadian, Egyptian Hieroglyphs and Arabic.Volumes I and II of the publication of the first session of the 'Congres International des Orientalistes&apos. Gathering together work from various authorities on a variety of topics.With discussion of ritual, religion, history and philosophy in the Orient.With the publisher's front and rear wraps bound in.Illustrated with four plates, one of which is folding.With the bookplate of F. Diba to the front pastedown. Diba published a bibliography of Persia in 1981.A fascinating insight into Oriental scholarship in the late nineteenth century. In a half morocco binding, with paper covered boards. Significant rubbing to back strip head and raised bands. Hinges strained, but firmly held. Bookplate to front pastedown. Publisher's front and rear wraps bound in. Internally, firmly bound. Pages a touch age toned, with instances of spotting throughout. Small tape repairs to the title page and following leaf, with stamp to title page. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 889F14

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: orientalist orientalism International Congress of Orientalists f diba orientalism Not Stated

Harry N. Marshall

Elephant Kingdom

London, Robert Hale Limited , 1959. First edition. Cloth. A travel work of Northern Siam by Harry N. Marshall, a signed presentation copy of the first edition, with an interesting letter inscribed by the author loosely inserted. The first edition of this work. Harry N. Marshall tells the story of the Indian working elephants and of the author's experiences with them during seven years in the jungles of Norther Siam, Thailand, detailing the hardships of tramping the jungle in all weathers and inspecting and directing working operations. A fascinating personal narrative. Illustrated with plates in black and white. The author's presentation copy, inscribed to a 'Tony Peers,' and signed by the author to the front free endpaper: 'I always said I could, and I would, and I did! Here it is // Hope it will 'ere remind you of one who was no stranger to Salem, Tranmere, Ballybunion, and Bangor Mountain. // Salaam effendi, and the author's fraternal greetings.'Loosely inserted is also a letter inscribed by the author to the same friend Tony, dated 1959, written with familiarity and often much humour. He gifts his book in return of honest comments, as well as apologising for not being able to meet up in the States, and suspecting that their 'next reunion will probably be in the 4 ale bar A. D. 2000 or thereabouts.' He also praises the scenery, hunting scene, and fishing in 'B. C.' and sends his love to Tony's wife, Helga, and described his new daughter. Complete with its unclipped dust wrapper.  In the original publisher's full cloth binding. Externally very smart with minor shelf wear and a minor bumping to the head and tail of the spine and extremities. The author's presentation copy, inscribed to a 'Tony Peers,' and signed by the author to the front free endpaper, with a letter inscribed by the author loosely inserted, dated 1959. The dust wrapper is sound with shelf wear and chipping, particularly to the head and tail of the spine, the occasional minor closed tear. Internally, firmly bound. light spotting to the edges, affecting only the endpapers slightly, otherwise the pages are bright and clean throughout. Illustrated with plates in black and white. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good Indeed/Good.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 801A83

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: first editions presentation copy letter signed books presentation copy Not Stated

Harry Ignatius Marshall

The Karen People of Burma: A Study in Anthropology and Ethnology

Not Stated, Not Stated, 1922. Cloth. An intriguing study on the Karen people of Burma, an illustrated exploration by Harry Ignatius Marshall. A thorough study of the Karen people of Burma, a fascinating and detailed exploration of the ethnolinguistic group.This work deals more particularly with the Sgaw branch of the Karen people, as Marshall became more acquainted with that tribe during his travels.Illustrated with a frontispiece and many illustrations throughout.By Harry Ignatius Marshall.Slip tipped on to the title page 'Metropolitan Borough of Paddington, Presented to the Public Libraries by Miss Hunter. September 1941&apos. In the original cloth binding. Externally, generally smart, Light marks and discolouration to the boards and spine. Joints and extremities are rubbed. Front board is heavily bumped to the head. Institutional ink to the tail of the spine. Rear board is a little cocked. Bumping to the extremities. Closed tear to the front endpaper. Institutional label to the front paste down. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Very faint tide mark to the tail of the first few pages. Slip tipped in to the title page. Stamp to the reverse of the title page. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 836P10

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: The Karen People of Burma burma karen people harry ignatius marshall burma Not Stated

Frederick Arthur McKenzie

From Tokyo to Tiflis Uncensored Letters from the War

London, Hurst and Blackett, Ltd, 1905. First edition. Cloth. An uncommon first edition work by Frederick Arthur MacKenzie, documenting his experiences during the Russo-Japanese war. The first edition of this uncommon work.Fascinating first-hand uncencorsed letters by Frederick Arthur MacKenzie, covering his experiences during the Russo-Japanese War, from January 1904 to April 1905. The author wrote these whilst he was a war correspondent for the 'Daily Mail&apos.Illustrated with a frontispiece, one folding map, and twenty-one plates.Collated, complete.MacKenzie was a noted Canadian journalist, one of the few Western journalists to cover the Russo-Japanese War, and the Korean resistance against Japan during the Japanese occupation. In the original publisher's cloth binding. Externally, generally smart, with marks and discolouration to the boards and spine, including some small damp stains. Minor bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Front board is a little faded. Internally, generally firmly bound. Pages are bright and generally clean with some scattered spots and handling marks. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 867P14

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: From Tokyo to Tiflis Uncensored Letters From the War From Tokyo to Tiflis letters tokyo From Tokyo to Tiflis frederick arthur mckenzie Not Stated

Axel Mellander

Genom Bibelns Lander

Chicago , Sv. Ev. Missions Forbundets Forlag, 1902. Cloth. A German account of Palestine and its surroundings, richly illustrated and in a decorative binding. Describing travels around Palestine, the Holy Land, Egypt and the Middle East; the title translates to 'Through the lands of the Bible&apos.Complete with a delightful red ribbon bookmark in Swedish.With one hundred and two illustrations.In the German language.Bound in charming pictorial cloth, with the cover depicting the Sphinx, palm trees and beautiful buildings. In the publisher's original full cloth binding. Externally a trifle worn, with the cloth bumped at the extremities and the head and tail of the spine, resulting in discolouration. Internally, generally firmly bound, with front hinge strained at the title page but remaining firm. Pages are bright and clean, with the odd instance of underlining. Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 779R37

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: Axel Mellander Palestine History of Palestine Palestinian Travel Palestine German Language Not Stated

Donald Mennis; Putnam Weale

The Pageant of Peking

Shanghai, China, A S Watson and Co , 1920. First edition. Cloth. A very bright copy of this beautiful photogravure work on Peking/Beijing at the start of the twentieth century. One of only 1000 copies printed of this edition. This is number 716. With 66 photogravure plates by Donald Mennie. With accompanying text by Putnam Weale. Former owner's inscription to the recto of front endpaper, dated 1929 in Shanghai, China. ''To my dear Mother & Father from Harry&apos. Collated, complete with the original silk ribbon marker loosely inserted.A fantastic work, which depicts early twentieth century China in all its glory. In the original blue silk binding. Slightly faded to the edges, with bumping to the corners. A few light marks to the boards. Former owner's inscription dated 1929 to the recto of front endpaper. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright. Occasional light spots to pages. Near Fine . Ill.: Donald Mennie. Near Fine .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 762L21

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: Peking Shanghai China Limited Edition Shanghai Donald Mennie

Dorothy Menpes

The Durbar

London, Adam and Charles Black, 1903. First edition. Cloth. A first edition of this brightly illustrated work on the Durbar. First edition. Illustrated with a colour frontispiece and ninety-nine colour plates with tissue guards. Collated complete. A detailed commentary on the Durbar, with chapters on the state entry, the proclamation, the review of the troops, different camps, the Viceroy, Lord Kitchener, and more. Illustrated by Mortimer Menpes, an Australian-born British painter, author, printmaker and illustrator. Written by Dorothy Menpes, a British writer and the daughter of Mortimer. In the original pictorial cloth binding. Externally, worn with rubbing and bumping to the extremities. Fading to the spine and the odd mark to the boards. Splits in the cloth to the joints with light fraying. Loss to the head of the spine with part of the cloth detaching from the binding. Minor loss to the tail of the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright with the odd spot and minor age toning to the endpapers. Good Only . Ill.: Mortimer Menpes. Good Only .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 898T44

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: Durbar India Menpes India Mortimer Menpes

Dorothy Menpes

Japan

London , Adam & Charles Black , 1905. Cloth. A bright richly illustrated guide to Japan by Mortimer Menpes. This volume contains Mortimer Menpes's impressions of Japan and is transcribed by his daughter Dorothy Menpes. The illustrations explore the gardens, workers, children and characteristics of Japan. Mortimer Menpes was an Australian-born British painter, author, printmaker and illustrator. With seventy five colour plates.Collated, complete. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, lovely with some light bumping to the head and tail of the spine. Internally, firmly bound with bright and clean pages. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Mortimer Menpes. Very Good Indeed .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 851B48

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: Japan mortimer menpes dorothy menpes Asia mortimer menpes Mortimer Menpes

Mortimer Menpes; Dorothy Menpes

World Pictures

London, Adam and Charles Black, c1913. Cloth. A bright copy of this extensive collection of illustrated scenes from around the world, written and illustrated by Mortimer and Dorothy Menpes. An extensive collection of beautifully illustrated scenes from around the world, including countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Central America.Written by Dorothy Menpes, and illustrated by Mortimer Menpes. A early impression of this work. Illustrated with one hundred colour plates, collated and complete. Containing eight pages of publisher's adverts to the rear.Containing a previous owner's ink inscription to the front free-endpaper, dated 1913. In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, bright, with some shelf wear to the boards and bumping to the head and tail of the spine and extremities. Slight fading to the extremities, and some wear and rubbing to the tail of the spine. Cloth slightly split to the head of the rear joint. Containing a previous owner's ink inscription to the front free-endpaper, dated 1913. Internally, front hinge is strained, remaining binding is generally firm. Pages are generally bright and clean. Very Good . Ill.: Mortimer Menpes. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 838J15

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: world pictures art travel travelling art africa europe Mortimer Menpes

Mortimer Menpes

World Pictures

London, Adam & Charles Black, 1902. First edition. Cloth. Mortimer and Dorothy Menpes' beautiful travelogue of the world, the first edition. The first edition of this work. Illustrated with on-hundred full page plate, some in colour, as well as further line drawings in text. Collated, complete. Containing a series of delightful illustrations by Mortimer Menpes, beautifully capturing his many travels around the world. Included is descriptive text by his daughter Dorothy Menpes sharing observations and impressions of each place visited. Featuring notes and drawings of England, Holland, France, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Greece, Egypt, South Africa, India, and many more.  In the original publisher's red cloth binding. Externally smart with minor shelf wear, lightly bumped to head and tail of spine and extremities of boards, light fading to back strip, gentle cockling of cloth to front board. Internally, occasional leaf loose but present due to gutta percha binding. Pages bright and clean. Very Good . Ill.: Dorothy Menpes. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 851A23

Catalogue: Asia

Keywords: first editions menpes travel explore menpes Dorothy Menpes