Bertold Seemann (1 results)

Condition: Very good condition. Second English Language Edition. Octavo. xxii, 376 (1)pp., 5 plates with rose tissue guards, 1 folding map. Rebacked retaining original dark emerald cloth binding with decorative blind-stamped framing on cover, gilt lettering and ruling on spine. Modern cream endpapers. With five woodcuts and a folding map indicating the route of J. J. Benjamin's Journey in Asia and Africa. "Israel Joseph Benjamin (1818-1864), Romanian explorer and writer; born in Falticeni, Moldavia. decided to emulate the medieval traveler Benjamin of Tudela. He styled himself Benjamin II and, in 1845, took to the road in search of the remnants of the Ten Lost Tribes. He traveled first to Egypt, from there through Erez Israel and Syria and then to Armenia, Iraq, Kurdistan, Persia, India, and China. He came back by way of Afghanistan to Vienna *(1851) and from there again to Italy and on to Tripoli, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco." (Encyclopedia Judaica). Contains preface by Bertold Seemann, the author's preface, an extract of a letter by Alexander von Humboldt and various opinions of scholars, an index and an introduction to Benjamin's account of "Eight Years in Asia and Africa" by M. Kyserling at front. The five woodcuts depicting Holy Land sites. Invaluable source on Jews of North Africa, the Near and Far East. The last page contains a list of subscribers in Bombay, including various members of the Sassoon family, known as "The Rotschild's of the East." Text in English with some Hebrew passages. Very light wear along edges of binding with small chip at head of spine, rebound cloth fine underneath. Small dealer sticker on inside front cover. Block lightly age-toned.