James Hamilton

Sinai, the Hedjaz, and Soudan: wanderings around the birth-place of the Prophet, and across the Aethiopian desert, from Sawakin to Chartum. London: Richard Bentley, 1857

FIRST EDITION, 8vo (187 x 119mm.), half-title, 2 folding maps ('Map of Part of Nubia' and 'From Djidda to Tayf, shewing Mr Hamilton's route, 1854'), contemporary red half morocco by John Watt of Elgin, gilt-lettered spine with raised bands in six compartments, marbled edges, marbled endpapers, stain to title and lighter stains to facing map and pp. v-vi, 'Map of Part of Nubia' creased with closed tear at fold, 'From Djidda to Tayf...' map also with small closed tear at fold, light scattered spotting, extremities lightly rubbed

Hamilton's account provides a lively and detailed overview of the architecture, topography, resources, and people of the areas he visits. On the Arabian peninsula he travelled in and around Jeddah, “[a town] composed of tortuous narrow streets, in which are a few houses with curiously carved lattices, and beautiful doors of teak” (p. 54), and Taif but did not enter Mecca. In the preface he speculate🐟s on the viability of an expedition to discover the source of the Ni💞le.

LITERATURE:

Hilmy I, p.285

PROVENANCE:

Sir William🃏 Gordon Gordon-Cumming, 4th bt. (1848-1930), armorial bookplate. Gordon-Cum𒐪ming was a Scottish landowner, soldier, adventurer and socialite, who saw service in South Africa, Egypt and the Sudan;

he served with💟 distinction and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Something of an adventurer, he also spent time hunting in the United States and Indiaꦦ, and was a friend of Edward, Prince of Wales.