The River of Golden Sand.: The Narrative of a Journey Through China and Eastern Tibet to Burmah.

London: John Murray,, 1880. Deluxe presentation copy inscribed to the author's sister and ardent supporter Rare publisher's deluxe edition, presentation copy, of this classic travel narrative, touchingly inscribed on the first blank of volume one, "Fanny Gill, with the best love of her brother, William Gill". In 1883, following Gill's premature death in Sinai, Frances "Fanny" Gill (1842-1930) was the driving force behind the creation of the RGS's Gill medal and John Murray's publication of a condensed memorial edition of the text. Captain William Gill (1843-1882), who served with the Royal Engineers between 1864 and 1876, was inspired to explore the relatively unknown Chinese hinterland by the earlier travels of Thomas Blakiston and Baron Ferdinand von Richthofen. In July 1876, Gill visited Berlin to consult with von Richthofen about preparations for the journey and then set sail for Asia. After several months spent visiting Peking, Shanghai, Chengde (Jehol) and the sea terminus of the Great Wall, he began his expedition in 1877, following the Yangtze to the city of Chongqing in the company of Evelyn Colborne Baber. In Sichuan province, he ventured into the remote Min mountains - becoming the first European to explore the region - and then undertook a four-month journey westwards with William Mesny to Yunnan and Tibet, following the course of the Jinsha ("Golden Sand") river, the name given to the upper stretches of the Yangtze. "From Tachienlu (Dajianlu) (8340 feet) he ascended to the summit level of the great Tibetan plateau, continuing his journey by Litang (18,280 feet) to Batang (8546 feet) in a tributary valley of the Kinsha; and then, crossing that river, he turned south, travelling parallel to the river to Talifu (Dalifu), the western capital of Yunnan" (ODNB). The scientific results from Gill's epic expedition were first made public in 1878 in the Journal of the Royal Geographical Society, with Gill awarded the RGS's gold medal the following year and the gold medal of the Paris Geographical Society in 1880. Fittingly, Murray's 1883 condensed edition was edited by his fellow traveller Baber, by now Chinese Secretary at the British Legation in Peking. While the number of deluxe copies of the first edition is unknown, we have traced only one other example which appeared at Sotheby's in 1989 and again in 2014. Two volumes, octavo. Original full vellum, black and red spine labels lettered in gilt, spines with gilt vignettes of Tibetan monastery and gilt rolls and tools, boards with double-ruled gilt frames and gilt corner devices, gilt vignettes of two opium smokers and a tea drinker to front covers, board edges and turn-ins rolled in gilt, combed marbled endpapers, edges red. Engraved frontispieces, 2 folding plates, including colour illustration (not called for) after the original brass memorial plaque to Gill, Professor Edward Palmer and Lieutenant Harold Charrington installed in the Nelson Chamber in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral, 8 folding maps, linen-backed general map of China showing author's route (unfolding to 450 x 452 mm) in rear pocket of vol. I, engraved vignettes on title pages. With tissue-guarded portrait of Gill after an etching by Theodore Blake Wirgman (1848-1925) sometime extracted from 1883 edition of present work and laid down on vol. I frontispiece verso. Early 20th-century ownership signature of one J. A. Barnes in both volumes. Binding bright with just a little soiling and rubbing, internally clean, plates and maps well-preserved, folding plate in vol. II slightly proud at top edge where sometime carelessly refolded. A handsome, near-fine copy. Howgego III (Continental) G19; Yakushi G57.