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Scarce. ***First edition. Published 1832. With black and white map of Russia frontispiece. Two-page preface, two-page contents, Table of Russian Sovereigns, Introduction. ***A fair copy in full leather burgundy boards. Please note that the front board is detached. A small piece of magic tape holds the front board to the title-page. Rear board splitting but still holding. Boards heavily rubbed at edges and corners. Edge of rear board scuffed. No foxing. Outer edge of folding map creased, rubbed and nicked with some wear to the outer edges. ***180mm x 114mm. Folding map, vii prelim pages plus 543 text-pages plus one-page Errata, plus four pages of Explanatory Notes to rear. ***Contents: Russian Empire: Chap. I: Boundaries extent and division of; European Russia: Chap. II. Boundaries and extent of European Russia; Steppes and Mountains; Chap. III. Rivers, Lakes and Canals; Chap. IV. Climate, Vegetable Productions, and Animals; Chap. V. VI. VII. VIII. Cities and Edificies, with Bridges, Floods, &c. Asiatic Russia: Chap. IX. Boundaries, extent, and divisions of Asiatic Russia; Face of the country, Mountains, Rivers, and Lakes; Chap. X. Climate, Vegetable productions, Animals, Cities, and Edifices; General, Civil, and Political view of the Russian Empire. Chap. XI. Population and its division; Government, Laws, and Religions; Chap. XII. Language, Literature, and Education; Arts, Manufacturers, Commerce and Revenue; Chap. XIII. Army and Navy; Chap XIV. Dress style of Living, Manners, Customs and Natural Character; Chap. XV. Amusements and Travelling; Chap. XVI. Coins, Weights and Measures. ***'Russia, comprising a large portion of Europe, all the northern regions of Asia, ans a small part of America, is the most extensive territory that has ever been united under one government. ***This vast empire is bounded on the north, by the Frozen Ocean; on the south by Turkey, the Black Sea, the steppes of the Kirguiss Cossacks and the Chinese dominions; on the east by the Pacific or Oriental Ocean; and on the West by Swedish Lapland, the Gulf of Bothnia, Prussia, and Gallicia.---***---The Kremlin contains the cathedral of the Assumpton, which is the most splendid church in all Moscow, and the most sacred edifice in the empire. It was built in 1479, on the site of the original edifice, and exhibits a specimen of the Graeco-Italian architecture of the fifteenth century. It is loaded with ornaments to a most curious and extravagant degree. On the walls are painted 249 full images, and 2,066 half-lengths and heads, many larger than nature. The quantity of gold-leaf employed in embellishing it, is said to have amounted to 210,000 leaves. From the roof is suspended a large silver chandelier, but it is said to be vastly inferior to that which formerly hung there. In 1812, the French erected a furnace in one end of the church, in which they proceeded to melt all the candlesticks and other articles of gold and silver which they could collect; but being surprised in the act by the sound of the retreat, they were obliged to carry off many of the articles whole, which the Cossacks afterwards recovered, to the amount of 181/2 poods (A pood is equal to thirty six pounds english[1832] of gold, and 320 poods of silver.' (Quotes from page 1 & page 43, Chap I. Introduction to Russian History). ***A scarce first edition, with all pages present, complete with folding black and white map of Russia to the fore. ***Of interest to historians, collectors of antiquarian maps and collectors of rare antiquarian first edition titles on the history of Russia. ***An antiquarian first edition, suitable as a reading copy or for re-binding by a professional bookbinder. ***Scarce. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.
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