2 volumes, 8vo (241 x 184 mm). Engraved folding map frontispiece in vol.1; 2pp. publisher's ads at end of vol.1. (Light spotting and creasing to map, offsetting to title-page). Contemporary calf (rebacked with modern spines). Provenance: Sherborne Library (bookplates).

FIRST EDITION of Bell’s account of his remarkable journey from St. Petersburg through Siberia and into China on behalf of the Russian tsar. Bell's narrative includes detailed descriptions of the manners, customs, geography, and scenery in the countries visited. Bell departed St Petersburg on 15 July 1715 and proceeded to Moscow, and from there to Kazan and south along the Volga to Astrakhan. The mission then sailed down the Caspian Sea to Derbent and traveled on to Esfahan in Persia, where they arrived on 14 March 1717. They left Esfahan on September 1 and returned to St Petersburg via Saratov on 30 December 1718. Bell's account of the journey to Kazan and through Siberia to China is possibly the most complete and interesting part of his travels. Of particular note are his descriptions of the Dalai Lama and the Chinese wall, and his residence in Peking. Blackmer 111; Cox I:256; Howgego I:B62.