2 volumes, 8vo. Folding map and a profusion of photographic plates. (Some pale spotting to a few leaves). Original red cloth gilt (some light rubbing to extremities, some minor darkening to spine and board edges). Provenance: George Forrest (1873-1932), Scottish botanist (signatures indicating his purchase of the book in 1913); gift inscription from Mr. J. C. Williams on a card laid in.

FIRST EDITION. Wilson's "travels in Western China began early in 1899, and had for their object the collecting of botanical specimens and the introducing of new plants into the gardens of Europe and North America" (Preface, p. vii). From the library of botanist George Forrest, who was one of the first Western explorers to China's southwestern province of Yunnan, widely considered to be one of the most biodiverse provinces in the country.  Forrest made his first expedition to Yunnan in 1904, and in 1921, he was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Victoria Medal of Honour in 1921 and the Veitch Memorial Medal in 1927. He was elected a fellow of the Linnean Society in 1924. Czech Asia p.229.