rare first edition

Splendid description of primitive conditions 110 years ago. Archaeology in the Holy Land was in its infancy. Communications were rudimentary. The construction of the first railway from Jaffa to Jerusalem was authorised in 1875 but it was doubtful whether it would pay as there was no trade of any importance in Southern Palestine and the yearly influx of pilgrims was of a short duration. The only modern roads in Syria were the diligence routes from Beirut to Damascus "and the road from Jaffa to Jerusalem. This is a very scarce English first edition. Endpapers dated "April 1887". The second edition was not issued until 1894. Very rare indeed and despite lacking the front map very collectible.

First edition. [v], vi-xvi, 610 pp; 17(of 18) coloured maps,(lacks front map before title-page), 43 plans, panorama of Jerusalem ( some spotting to the panorama), and 5 plates comprising 10 engraved views,; restored preserving most of the publisher's red cloth gilt; a good solid copy.

Hinrichsen E254.