IRBY, Charles Leonard (1789–1845) and James

IRBY, Charles Leonard (1789–1845) and James MANGLES (1786–1867). Travels in Egypt and Nubia, Syria, and Asia Minor; During the Years 1817 & 1818... Printed for Private Distribution. London: T. White and Co., 1823. 8vo (216 x 132 mm). Engraved folding map (mounted on new linen), 3 plans (2 folding), and 6 lithographed plates. Modern half calf over marbled boards, raised bands, morocco lettering–piece gilt, renewed endpapers (intermittent pale spotting near margins). Provenance: The Holy Child School, Preston (rubberstamp title–page verso, bleeding onto title). FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed on front fly leaf “Revd. Mr. Douglas Veitch / from the author”. This privately published work takes the form of six letters: the first from Cairo dated 1817 and the last from Cyprus dated 1818. Irby and Mangles assisted Belzoni in his excavation at the site of Abu Simbel, an independent account of which is given in the letters. From there, they journeyed through the desert to Gaza, Jaffa, Beirut and Tripoli; thence to Baalbek and Antioch; and reached Aleppo where they were among the earliest modern explorers of Syria. Atabey 606; Blackmer 860; Hilmy I, p. 325; Weber I, 123.