A Gyre Thro' The Orient by J.I. Taylor, Princeton 1869 - First edition. Copy with an albumen photograph of the author and handwritten dedication and signature on the margins of the photograph.
The book describes the author's travels in the East and particularly in Eretz Israel which he refers to as "the most interesting land on all of the Earth". Taylor arrived to Eretz Israel from the north through Lebanon and Damascus and Mount Hermon, where he met mainly Bedouin groups that assisted him in finding his way. He dedicated most of his tour to the Old City of Jerusalem and its population, exploring the archaeological sites, religious buildings and historic locations, noting in his book the biblical events that occurred in each place he visited. In the valley of Jehoshaphat, Mount of Olives and Western Wall he even tried to follow the archaeological findings buried in the ground. In some places locals came to him in bewilderment due to his western clothing unfamiliar to them, some had never seen a knife or a fork before. Taylor also visited Hebron, Beit El, the Judean hills, the Dead Sea, the Jordan River and its surroundings, and other sites.
378 p. Cloth binding. Faded and stained cover. Pencil markings and highlights on some pages. Overall good condition.
