Book on Travel in Russia & Persia. Hanway, Jonas. An Historical Account of the British Trade over the Caspian Sea : with a Journal of Travels from London through Russia into Persia; and back again through Russia, Germany and Holland. to which is added the revolutions of Persia during the present century, with a particular history of the great usurper Nadir Kouli.London, Dodsley [&c.], 1753. First edition. 4 volumes (bound in 3). Engraved allegorical frontispiece to each volume, 9 engraved folding maps, one with tear on fold closed without loss, 10 engraved headpieces, 16 engraved plates, some offsetting from plates and maps, xx,399pp., xvi,374pp.,(15,1pp.index), xvi,255,(1)pp, xvi,301,(1)pp, (18pp.index), 4to., fairly recently rebound in 1/2 black calf with red labels, marbled boards.The first 70 or so pages of Vol.I have a very pale watermark extending into text from bottom margin and the last page of vol.I has been bound back to front and trimmed without any loss to text. Volumes 3 and 4 are titled 'The Revolutions of Persia: Containing the Reign of Shah Sultan Hussein, with the Invasion of the Afghans …' Hanway was a well-known traveller and philanthropist. As a partner of a St. Petersburg merchant, he made a journey in 1743 down the Volga and by the Caspian Sea to Persia with a caravan of woolen goods, and returned in 1745 by the same route after many perilous adventures.