HEDIN, Sven.

Through Asia.

“WHO COULD HAVE IMAGINED THAT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE DREAD DESERT OF GOBI? ACTUAL CITIES SLUMBERED UNDER THE SAND?”: First Edition of Sven Hedin's Through Asia

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1899.

Out of Stock Item Number: RRB-111452

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First American edition of this classic travel narrative, with nearly 300 illustrations after sketches and photographs by Hedin. Octavo, original green cloth, illustrated. In near fine condition. From the library of James Stephen “Steve” Fossett with his bookplate to the pastedown. American businessman and record-setting aviator Steve Fossett became the first person to fly solo nonstop around the world in 2002 in his 10-story high balloon Spirit of Freedom. He completed the 2002 trip in 13 days, 8 hours, and 33 minutes and set records for both the Longest Distance Flown Solo in a Balloon and Fastest Balloon Flight Around the World. Fossett was also one of sailing’s most prolific distance record holders set the Absolute World Speed Record for airships with a Zeppelin NT in 2004. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career including aviation’s highest award, the Gold Medal of the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), which he was awarded in 2002. Fossett disappeared on September 3, 2007 while flying a light aircraft over the Great Basin Desert, between Nevada and California.

One of Hedin’s earlier works, a fascinating account of his travels in Chinese Turkestan and his search for the sand-buried Buddhist cities and treasures of the Takla Maken. Published one year after the London first edition in English.