Our Notes & References
A major work on the history and peoples of the Caucasus, one of the first and certainly the most scientific upon publication.
A fine, fresh example, in contemporary binding, of the first edition in English, in larger format than the original German published shortly before.
German orientalist, linguist, and traveller Heinrich Julius Klaproth (1783–1835) was invited by the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1804 to serve as an adjunct in Oriental languages and literature. He soon accompanied Count Golovkin’s Russian mission to Peking; however, as the local authorities did not permit the mission to proceed beyond Mongolia, he instead continued his linguistic and ethnographic research in the Caucasus on behalf of the Academy.
“With his command of many Eastern languages, alongside his excellent linguistic and historical training, Klaproth successfully addressed the complex scientific challenges he encountered in the Caucasus” (Gardanov, our translation here and below).
His engaging work includes a description of the population of the North Caucasus, with details on regional cuisine, indigenous dress, and other aspects of daily life. Klaproth managed to break new grounds with his ethnographic observations: he “established the ethnogenesis of the Ossetians, clarified many questions regarding the origins of the Balkars, Karachais, and Circassians (Adygs), and provided a comprehensive ethnographic account of the peoples of the North Caucasus—their economy, socio-political structures, manners, and customs” (Gardanov).
In addition, the work offers a vocabulary and a linguistic classification and analysis of the local languages and dialects.
Because of financial disputes with the Academy, Klaproth published his opus in his native Berlin instead of Russia, in 1812-14 as two octavo volumes. The present edition was translated from German by Frederic Shoberl (1775–1853), an English writer, journalist and illustrator, also famous for his popular illustrated work on the peoples and customs of various countries, including Russia.
Provenance
Toft Hall (England; bookplate to upper pastedown).
Bibliography
Gardanov V. K. Adygi, balkartsy i karachaevtsy v izvestiiakh evropeiskikh avtorov XIII-XIX vv. Nalchik. Elbrus, 1974.
Physical Description
Quarto. xv including title, 422 pp., the last page being publisher’s ads.
Binding
Contemporary half calf over marbled boards, spine with raised bands gilt in compartments, dark label to one lettered in gilt.
Condition
Binding a bit rubbed, joints professionally restored; light foxing at beginning and end, bound without a leaf of ads at end, otherwise fine and fresh.
