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BYRON, Robert.

The Road to Oxiana.

First edition, first impression, first binding - "an enquiry into the origins of Islamic art presented in the form of one of the most entertaining travel books of modern times" (ODNB). In his introduction to the 1981 re-issue, Bruce Chatwin confessed to considering it "a work of genius" which he had elevated to the status of "sacred text". He stressed that it remained an important book, as in between the "bravura passages" Byron expounds a serious thesis about the significance of Afghan influence on Persian civilization.

Octavo. Original blue cloth, titles to spine gilt, blue top-stain. In the dust jacket. Frontispiece and 15 other plates, 5 full-page maps. Slight lean, top-stain a little sunned, contemporary ownership inscription to the front free endpaper, jacket slightly rubbed, some edge-splits, mild chipping head and tail of the spine, some staining from old internal tape repairs, showing through on lower panel and rear turn in only. A very good copy in the uncommon jacket.