In Unknown Arabia.

CHEESMAN, Robert Ernest.

Published by London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1926

About this Item

First edition, first impression, signed and dated 11 November 1929 by the author on the half-title. Cheesman was "the first European to reach the remote oasis of Jabrin, fixing its precise position, mapping large areas of surrounding desert and identifying the site of ancient Gerra" (Howgego). For this work, which is the subject of the present account, he was awarded the RGS Gill Memorial Medal. Major R. E. Cheesman (1878-1962) encountered Sir Percy Cox, who contributes a foreword here, when serving with the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, and the two shared an interest in ornithology: "Together they undertook to collect the avifauna of Iraq …While Cox was high commissioner in Iraq, Cheesman was his private secretary (1920-23). He was elected to the British Ornithologists' Club in 1919, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 1920, and a corresponding member of the Zoological Society of London in 1921" (ODNB). His geographical work began in 1921 when "he was placed in charge of charting the western shore of the Gulf of Salwah" (Howgego). Cox describes this handsomely produced book as "a vivid, unvarnished record of desert travel, pursued often under the most trying circumstances, with imperturbable patience and perseverance … enlivened throughout by a quiet sense of humour"; and ODNB notes that Cheesman's books "are both readable and authoritative, characterized by modesty, a sense of humour, and accurate observation, especially of topography and wildlife". Howgego III C32. Octavo. With half-tone portrait frontispiece of Ibn Saud, 32 similar plates, large folding coloured map at rear, illustrations in text. Original dark green cloth, bevelled boards, gilt-lettered spine, gilt vignette of camel and rider on front cover, top edge gilt. Inscribed on the front free endpaper recto, "To C.M.P. from E.M.P. December 30th, 1926". Extremities lightly rubbed, offsetting on half-title, contents generally bright, map with expertly repaired stub tear not crossing neatline: a very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 167745

Bibliographic Details

• Title: In Unknown Arabia.
• Publisher: London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1926
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)