Journal of a route across India, through Egypt to England

FITZCLARENCE (Lieut.-Col. [George Augustus Frederick]) JOURNAL of a ROUTE ACROSS INDIA, through Egypt, to England. London: John Murray, 1819. First Edition. 4to., pp. [iv] + xxiv+502+[2], complete with 9 fine colored aquatints each with tissue-guard (light offsetting in places through the tissue guards), very impressive large folding "Map of the Seat of War in India" (some offset) 22' x 27', apprears to be unopened with no tears (only partially opened in photo), map of Egypt, 4 battle plans with armies coloured, each with facing leaf of explanatory text, and 4 other plates, half-title, errata, terminal imprint leaf present; contemporary polished calf, neatly rebacked with some scuffing of the corners and covers. Abbey Travel 519; Blackmer 597, Toolely 222.

Fitzclarence served in "India, where he became aide-de-camp to the Marquis of Hastings...When peace was arranged with the Maharajah Scindiah the event was considered of sufficient importance to send the despatches in duplicate, and Firzclarence was entrusted with the duplicates sent by overland route. He started from the western frontier of Bundelkund, the furthest point reached by the grand army, 7 Dec. 1817, and traveling through districts infested by the Pindarrees...reached Bombay, and quitted it in the H.E.I.C. cruiser Mercury for Kosseir 7 Feb. 1818, crossed the desert, explored the pyramids with Salt and Belzoni, descended the Nile, and reached London, via Alexandria and Malta, 16 June 1818. He subsequently published an account of his travel...a work exhibiting much observation, and containing some curious plates of Indian military costumes of the day from sketches by the author" (DNB). The plates of Egyptian and Indian subjects engraved by Havell were after drawings by Fitzclarence. The plates are clean and the colors are vibrant. The text is bright and the text block is tight, early bookplate verso the front cover. Some offsetting through the tissue guards otherwise the text is clean and without any markings. Overall a handsome copy in VG condition.