Oblong Folio, 86 pp., 1 lithograph plate of 22 (View of Suez), 2 plain lithographed maps (the map of Egypt is detached), 1 colour folding map, lithographed vignette on title page, original hard boards with leather back-strips, rubbed, some spotting confined to text, small dampstain to lower margin of the plate not affecting the image, light edge wear to b/w maps without any loss, new spine & endpapers, few pencil annotations, ink inscription on top corner of title page reading ‘from Elizabeth Head’, Smith Elder & Co., London, first and only edition, 1833.

Synopsis

TEXT COMPLETE. A Highly important reference work which reveals the British strategic intentions regarding securing the route to India through the Red Sea. Head was especially interested in promoting the Red Sea route to India via Cairo and Suez. He wrote “Defence of British India from Russian invasion“ in 1839. This work comprises description of all 22 plates, and two studies by Head entitled as follows:
I- Project of establishing an eight weeks’ communication between England and India by the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, through the application of steam power to packets.
II- Defence of British India from Russian invasion.
Bibliographic references: Blackmer 799; Brunett III, 69; Hilmy 1, 295; not in Abbey.