rare survey of Babylon

Scarce. Selby was a commander in the Indian Navy and surveyor in Mesopotamia. He set out to survey the ruins of the supposed site of Babylon with no preconceptions as to what should be there, nor did he supply any additional 'ruins' to fill in gaps. Thus the book serves as an exemplary piece of modern surveying as opposed to the more fanciful efforts of earlier visitors.

First edition, 8 pp. text (single unsigned gathering, stitched as issued), 2 hand-coloured lithographic folding plans, 'Sheet I' dimensions 130 x 59 cm, with 2 inset views, 'Sheet II' dimensions 59 x 67 cm, Foreign Office Library bookplate and pocket to inside cover, text with a few small worm-tracks, minor damp-staining and partial browning to title-page, manuscript shelf mark numbers to p. 3, 'Sheet I' with a few small worm-tracks, a few punctures along one transverse fold, strip of adhesive-related light browning along join of two sections, Sheet II' with a few minute worm-tracks, small tear at one intersection, original light blue cloth portfolio, printed paper label to upper cover, a little soiled, crease to upper cover, neat repairs to spine, a good copy.