Freshfield was president of the Alpine Club (1893-95) and of the Royal Geographical Society (1914-17) and achieved a high reputation as a geographer. He was a pioneer in the Alps and Himalayas, but his book on the Caucasus was unique and remains one of the best works on the higher altitude regions of the Caucasus.

An encyclopaedic work charting the Caucasus Range by one of the foremost mountain explorers of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries brings together previous knowledge of this region. The photographs, which include the well-known dramatic picture of Ushba, the "Matterhorn of the Caucasus", are by the mountain photographer, Vittorio Sella, who made expeditions to the Caucasus in 1889. 

2 Volumes, First Edition. London and New York: Edward Arnold, 1896. 4to. Original two-tone green publisher's cloth. Pages: Vol.I: xxiii, 278; vol.II: x, [ii], 295, [i]. Folding map and panorama at rear of vol.I. 2 folding panoramas and one map towards rear of vol.II, as well as one coloured folding map in rear pastedown. 79 full-page plates throughout.

Original two-tone brown-and-green publisher's cloth. Gilt decorated cloth strip on front and rear covers of each volume near spine. Covers and spines titled in gilt. Upper edge gilt, others uncut. Fair. Binding of both volumes very good, tight and sturdy. Spines of both volumes sunned, as is usual. Some markings across covers of both volumes. Insect damage prevalent through both volumes (see images). Otherwise, contents remain complete, with minimal toning and very few markings internally. A good working copy, priced as such.

Full title: The Exploration of the Caucasus. With Illustrations by Vittorio Sella.

Provenance: From the library of Warwick H. Williams. 

This book is currently on display in the rare book section of our Paddington store.

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Catalogue Number: ON00134