ID 993129
Lot 200 | GÜLDENSTÄDT, Johann Anton (1745-1781)
Estimate value
£ 7 000 – 10 000
Reisen durch Russland und im Caucasischen Gebürge. Edited by Peter Simon Pallas. St. Petersburg: Academy of Science, 1787-1791.
First edition, Empress Maria Feodorovna’s copy, of the first systematic study of the Caucasus. The expedition, and its publication, galvanized Russian interest in the region, leading very quickly to the 1783 Treaty of Georgievsk, which established East Georgia as a protectorate of Russia. Alexander I, Maria's son, later began Russia's protracted war of expansion in the region; Güldenstädt's survey was undoubtedly a vital tool. The expedition was sponsored by Catherine II and took Güldenstädt through Ukraine and Astrakhan into the northern Caucasus, Ossetia, Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, and Georgia between 1770 and 1773. At the end of volume two is a dictionary of Kartvelian languages (Svan, Mingrelian, Kartvelian) spoken in the south Caucasus, primarily in Georgia, some recorded for the first time. Pallas edited the work following the author's untimely death in 1781. Bobins V, 1689; Chertkov, no.2839; Miansarov, p.340.
2 volumes, quarto (251 x 195mm and 245 x 178mm). One large engraved folding map and 27 engraved folding plates and maps (11 hand-coloured). Volume I: contemporary green goatskin gilt, sides with narrow roll border, arms of Maria Feodorovna at centre, flat spine in compartments with gilt-lettered red and brown spine labels, gilt edges (very minor wear at spine); volume II: contemporary red goatskin gilt, sides with narrow roll border, flat spine in compartments, gilt-lettered red and brown spine labels, gilt edges (a little wear and minor repairs at spine). Provenance: Empress Maria Feodorovna, second wife of Czar Paul I (1759-1828, binding of volume one) — Wolfgang Herz (sold Christie’s NY, 9 Dec. 2009, lot 93; booklabel) — [sold Christie’s, 29 Nov. 2012, lot 93].
Special notice
No VAT is payable on the hammer price or the buyer's premium for this lot. Please see the VAT Symbols and Explanation section of the Conditions of Sale for further information
Place of origin: | Eastern Europe, Europe, Russia |
---|---|
Auction house category: | Printed books |
Place of origin: | Eastern Europe, Europe, Russia |
---|---|
Auction house category: | Printed books |
Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
---|---|---|
Preview |
| |
Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.