Picturesque Palestine, Sinai and Egypt

London: J. S. Virtue & Co, 1880-1884 . First edition. Cloth. Fair. 13.5" by 11". Harry Fenn; J D Woodward.. Eight parts of the very scarce 'Subscriber's Only' edition of Charles William Wilson's comprehensive study of late nineteenth century Palestine. Eight parts of the very scarce subscriber's only edition of this work, which was issued in forty-one parts between 1880 and 1884, in illustrated publisher's wraps.This work explores Palestine, Sinai and Egypt and discusses the history of notable locations in the region. It was edited by Charles William Wilson was a British Army officer, geographer and archaeologist.Published in four volumes between 1880 and 1884, it is possible that these parts appeared prior to the publication of the complete edition of the work, and were intended to be bound together once publication of new parts had concluded.Consisting of:Volume I, Part I, illustrated with one plate.Volume I, Part III, illustrated with one plate.Volume I, Part VI, illustrated with one plate.Volume II, Part XVI, illustrated with one plate.Volume II, Part XVIII, illustrated with one plate.Volume II, Part XIX, illustrated with one plate.Volume III, Part XXIX, illustrated with one plate.Collated, complete.Also present is an unknown part of volume IV, illustrated with one plate, and lacking the publisher's wraps and a significant number of text leaves.With further vignette illustrations to each part. In the publisher's original illustrated paper wraps. Front wraps generally bright, but with handling marks and chipping to perimeters. Significant spotting, handling marks and residue to rear wraps. Parts II and III detached from wraps, with plates detached and loosely inserted, and front wrap of part III only tenderly held. Wraps of part VI detached, with loss to rear wrap. Front and rear wraps of part XXVIII detached. Wraps of Part XIX detached from binding. Final unknown part of volume IV lacking wraps, with significant discolouration and handling marks to leaves, and lacking a number of leaves to the rear. Final leaf of this part only partially present. Internally, bindings strained and tender, with a number of leaves detached and only loosely inserted Pages generally bright and clean, with some areas of spotting and discolouration. Fair