Lot 33
Alexander, Sir James Edward (1803-1885)
Travels from India to England
Auction: The Library of General Sir James Alexander | Wed 25 February from 10am | Lots 31 to 62
Description
comprehending a Visit to the Burman Empire, and a Journey through Persia, Asia Minor, European Turkey, etc. in the Years 1825-6. London: Parbury, Allen, and Co., 1827. 2 copies, both first edition, 4to (26.5 x 20.8cm), xv 301 pp., each with lithographic portrait frontispiece on india paper (mounted), 16 lithographic maps and plates after the author's own sketches (of which 5 hand-coloured). Comprising:
The author's own copy, with his ownership inscription ‘J. E. Alexander’ to the initial blank, spine lettered ‘Cornet J. E. Alexander 13. L. D.' (i.e. 13th Light Dragoons) in gilt at foot (contemporary green half calf, marbled sides and edges, retaining half-title, spotting to title-page and occasional text-leaves)
Presentation copy from the author to his father, inscribed ‘To Edward Alexander Esquire of Powis, from his affectionate son the author’ on the initial blank (contemporary tan calf, half-title discarded, front joint cracked and board working loose, foot of spine pulled, frontispiece and title-page slightly marked, a few marks elsewhere) [Abbey Travel 520; Tooley 17] (2)
Provenance
THE LIBRARY OF GENERAL SIR JAMES EDWARD ALEXANDER (1803-1885)
Footnote
Alexander travelled to India as a cadet in the Madras army in 1820, acquiring a cornetcy in the 1st Madras light cavalry the following year. ‘He was made adjutant of the bodyguard by Sir Thomas Munro [dedicatee of the present work], and served in the First Anglo-Burmese War. On leaving the East India Company’s service he joined the 13th light dragoons as cornet on 20th January 1825. He was given a lieutenancy on half pay on 26th November. As aide-de-camp to Colonel Kinneir, British envoy to Persia, he was present with the Persian army during the war of 1826 with Russia, and received the Persian order of the Lion and Sun (second class)' (ODNB).