Barry Lawrence Ruderman Antique Maps Inc.
7407 La Jolla Boulevard www.raremaps.com (858) 551-8500 La Jolla, CA 92037 [email protected]
Eine Routenaufnahme von Sven Hedin
Stock#: 68175 Map Maker: Sven
Date: 1918 , 1927 Place: Stockholm (Vol I), Liepzig (Vol II) Color: Color Condition: VG Size: 21 x 11 inches Map Size
Price: SOLD
Description:
A Set of Maps of Persia by the Famed Swedish Geographer Sven Hedin, With Accompanying Two- Volume Text
This is a fascinating work detailing a 1906 expedition from which traveled from the outskirts of Tehran to Lake Hamoun. The journey was a key archeological voyage in the history of western understanding of Persia, as well as playing a role in the everlasting Great Game.
The text covers the specifics of the journey, explaining the events and discoveries of the expedition. This work is comprised of three volumes:
Karten, a separate collection of maps. This contains eight loose folding maps, which, when viewed
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7407 La Jolla Boulevard www.raremaps.com (858) 551-8500 La Jolla, CA 92037 [email protected]
Eine Routenaufnahme von Sven Hedin
together, create a large and extremely detailed map of central Iran. Volume 1, a report of the journey from Varamin to Hamoun. This contains ten detailed maps of the route, one showing the route in its entirety, and the other nine showing detailed sections. In addition, numerous photographs, printed drawings, panorama views, and more are included. Volume 2, which focuses on the scholarly aspects of the journey, specifically the etymology of Persian names, the geology of the region, and an explanation of the maps included in Karten. Again, numerous photographs, printed drawings, panorama views, and more are included.
A Multidisciplinary, Cutting Edge Work
The scope of these two vast volumes is broad. The work is of significant scientific merit in a number of disciplines, not only in cartography and geography, but also in archeology, linguistics, geology, and meteorology.
The geological description included at the end of the second volume is of particular note. This work includes a map showing the geology of some of the regions Hedin passed through, alongside detailed descriptions of dozens of hand specimens. The work includes images of well over one hundred thin sections and fossils collected along the journey and explains their petrology and paleontology. The work also appears to include a more general discussion of geology, including a mention of Fluvial-Lacustrine Theory. This may refer to the radical idea that not all sediment is formed in oceans, but some may come from lakes and rivers.
Even without specialized knowledge or fluency in German, the book is fascinating to peruse. The dozens of sketches are well-executed, providing a beautiful picture of the Iranian desert. The photographs show rarely-seen archeological sights and images of the caravans Hedin and his team traveled with. The maps include detailed English descriptions of the route they took.
One of the Last Great Western Explorers of Central Asia
Sven Hedin was one of the most famous Swedes at the beginning of the 20th century and a fascinating personality. He was the leading expert of the time on Turkestan and Tibet, and his maps and expertise were considered of the utmost expertise during The Great Game. Hedin was responsible for discovering several lost Buddhist cities throughout central Asia.
Sven Hedin rose to ever-increasing prominence over the first three of his expeditions, spanning the years 1885-1908. His travels focused mostly on the area from northernmost Nepal to Mongolia, a center of geopolitical focus at the time, performing mapping and archeological exercises. Hedin's third expedition would take him through Persia in 1906, providing the context for the works here presented.
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7407 La Jolla Boulevard www.raremaps.com (858) 551-8500 La Jolla, CA 92037 [email protected]
Eine Routenaufnahme von Sven Hedin
Hedin's career would peak with his triumphant return to Stockholm in 1909, where he was given a hero's welcome. He would somewhat fall in prominence after supporting Germany during the First World War, and sought to regain his popularity after the war. He published several books and gave lecture tours. Hedin attempted to continue his expeditions, but political instability in western China, alongside a new popular sentiment that lost interest in the Romantic expeditions of the long 19th century created difficulties. His later support of German nationalism and praise of Adolf Hitler would further lessen his repute.
Detailed Condition: Complete set of 8 folding maps in seperate volume. Volume I contains ten additional maps regarding the route taken in the expedition. Volumes 1 and 2 contain numerous other photographs, drawings, and sketches. The two numbered volumes and the separate map collection are soft-bound. Volume I printed 1918, Volume II printed 1927.
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