Krafft's fine illustrated work on Turkestan

A talented photographer, Krafft recorded everything he saw on his journey across Russian Turkestan: the vibrant markets of Bokhara, the ancient monuments of Samarkand and the beautiful fabric of traditional costumes On his return to Paris, Krafft produced this account of the journey lavishly illustrated, showing the peoples, traditions, festivals, towns, mosques, madrassas, mountains and valleys of these regions.

No expense was spared in the publication of this work. The photogravures were printed on heavy, high-quality vellum-paper, each protected with a tissue-guard bearing an explanatory caption; the text and the heliogravures were printed on glossy paper with wide margins and the additional watermarks 'H. Krafft' and 'Le Turkestan Russe'.

First edition; large 4to, vii, 228, [3]pp.; with 70 heliogravure plates including frontispiece, all with original protective tissues with printed captions, a large coloured folding map, 195 heliogravures in text, modern half calf gilt over marbled boards, top edge gilt, others uncut, a fine copy.

Yakushi (1994) K316.