A DESERT JOURNAL: Letters from Central Asia (First edition - first impression, in the pre-war dustwrapper - first state - published by Constable - and with author's inscription)

First impression of the true first edition, published in 1934 - this being in the first state - published by Constable & Co. Ltd., as stated on the title page and the spine of the book. The book was transferred to Hodder & Stoughton shortly after first publication, and many copies have the new publisher on the spine. ***With the folding map at the back of the book, as called for, along with 16 photographic plates - collated as present. In addition, this copy retains a near-complete original dustwrapper, and appears to be inscribed by one of the authors (Evangeline or Francesca French) - please see scans. ***Very good in blue cloth-covered boards, with white titles to the spine and white titles and facsimile signatures of the three authors on the front board. The boards show some marks commensurate with age and handling, with some light patches of fading (please see scans). The thin boards are nice and straight (not warped as is sometimes found). Slight creasing to the head and tail of the spine and rubbing to the corner tips - otherwise no bumps or creases. Corners sharp. No reading lean to the binding, but a light vertical crease to the spine. Spine tight. Light sporadic foxing to the page block edges. Internally also very good with a contemporary gift inscription dated May 27. 1935 to the front free endpaper, which appears to be by one of the French sisters. Internally there is virtually none of the foxing that is usually found. Pages clean. No splitting. Binding firm. No creases or tears. The folding map is lightly foxed but has no tears. With the erratum slip also tipped in next to the map. ***In a very good dustwrapper, which has some loss at the top of the spine and front panel (not affecting the lettering) and corner tips. There is a long closed tear also along the front crease of the front flap. Some light foxing and browning but generally clean (please see scans) ***ix prelim-pages plus 261 pages of text, with folding map at the back showing: 'Map of Sinkiang (Chinese Turkestan)marking each oasis on the trade route across the Gobi Desert'. 194mm x 130mm. ***'These Desert Journals are personal letters sent home during a period of years spent on missionary journeys in Central Asia. They were written in unusual places and in diverse circumstances. Sometimes in the shade of a Tibetan lamasery, sometimes in the Palace of a Mongol Khan, occasionally from the sand hills of the Edzin Gol and often in a mud shelter of the great desert of Gobi. The dispatch of almost each letter was a problem, for only occasionally was normal postal service available, and sometimes a travelling merchant has carried a packet to post in some distant town. When brigands controlled the area and censored all letters, the journals were cut into strange patterns to be brought together again by the friend who received and circulated them.' (Quote taken from the Foreword) ***A first impression of the true first edition (in the first state), complete with the folding map in very good condition - and in the original and rarely found dustwrapper, which also carries the correct Constable imprint. This copy appears to be signed and inscribed by one of the French sisters. Of interest to collectors of travel books on Central Asia. A book rarely found in the first state, with Constable & Co. as the publisher on the spine, and very rarely in the original dustwrapper. ***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.…