Travels from St. Petersburg in Russia to Diverse Parts of Asia

1763. First Edition. Hard Cover. (Glasgow: Printed for the Author by Robert and Andrew Foulis Printers to the University 1763). In Two Volumes. Both Volumes First UK Editions. Volume I: XX pp. (title, dedication, list of the subscribers, preface and contents + 357 pp. + 2 pages of adverts at the back for books printed by Robert and Andrew Foulis. Volume 2 has 426 pages with 1 page at the end 'Alterations by the Author'. Sympathetic, recently re-bound in half leather with marbled boards with 6 raised bands to the spine with red spine label with 'Bells Travels' and green spine labels to denote Volumes 1 and 2 respectively. Includes the all-important engraved folding map in Volume 1 by John Riddell of the author's two routes between Mosco (i.e. Moscow) and Pekin (i.e. Peking). A fine set famous for its beautiful fount of type. A British expatriate, Bell travelled throughout Russia and the east during the years 1715-38. He accompanied the embassies of Peter the Great to Ispahan in Persia in 1715-18, travelled to Peking in China through Siberia in 1719-21, to Derbent in Persia in 1722, and to Constantinople in 1737-38. The account includes detailed descriptions of the manners, customs, geography and scenery in the countries visited. The work was reprinted in 1764 and 1788, and published in French and German editions. The engraved folding map shows the route between Moscow and Peking. Shows extremely well with excellent condition internally. Note: this is an original 18th century book NOT a modern reproduction.