Sir Percy Sykes — The Quest for Cathay

London, A. & C. Black Ltd, 1936. First edition. Cloth. A lovely first edition work discussing Middle Aged European exploration of China, an illustrated work complete with a colour frontispiece and folding maps. The first edition.In the original uncommon price-clipped dust wrapper.A fascinating and academic work discussing the discovery of Cathay in the Middle Ages - Cathay is a historical name that Europe used for China, before it was discovered that Cathay and China were the same place. An interesting work on early European explorers, including Marco Polo, John de Plano Carpini, and William de Rubruquis.Illustrated with a colour frontispiece, four folding maps, sixteen monochrome plates, and five maps.Collated, complete.By Sir Percy SykesFrom the library of Gerald and Camilla Selous, with their bookplate to the front paste down, and pencil inscription to the recto to the front endpaper. In the original publisher's cloth binding, in the original price-clipped dust wrapper. Externally, smart. Small wrinkle to the head of the front board. Some light marks to the boards, including to the spine. Very light bumping to the head and tail of the spine and to the extremities. Some spots to the fore edge. Bookplate to the front paste down. Pencil inscription to the recto to the front endpaper. Dust wrapper is worn with loss to the tail of the spine, tail of the rear wrap, and head of the spine. Some discolouration and spotting to the wraps. Some edge wear with small closed tears. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean with only a couple of light spots. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Various. Very Good Indeed/Good.