Present-Day Egypt (1903)

With the bookplate of Herbert G Squires, and rebound in half-leather by Henry Sotheran of London

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

Second edition, revised and enlarged. Bound in half-leather by Henry Sotheran, London, with five raised bands and gilt titling to spine. Top edge gilt. 21 × 14.5cm, xiii +396pp.

This copy with the bookplate of Herbert G Squires to the front pastedown. Herbert Goldsmith Squiers (1859–1911) was a distinguished American diplomat and military officer. He served as the Secretary of the American Legation in Peking during the Boxer Rebellion when the foreign legations were besieged for 55 days and Squiers effectively became the Chief of Staff for the international defence forces. This was followed by posts as Minister to Cuba (1902–1905) and Minister to Panama (1906–1909).

Penfield was the United States Diplomatic Agent and Consul-General to Egypt from 1893 to 1897 which gave him access to the Khedive and British administrators. This book on Egypt at the start of the twentieth century, and Penfield offers an American view of British colonial administration, with chapters on Cairo, Alexandria, "paradoxical but effective administration", the Suez Canal, Ismail Pasha, Tewfik Pasha, Great Britain's position etc etc. The book is illustrated throughout with black and white drawings by Paul Philippoteaux and R. Talbot Kelly, as well as photogravures.

Condition

This copy is in very good condition. There is some light abrasion to the rear joint, and the inner binding a very little pulled at the half-title, otherwise the pages are clean and the inner binding secure. All plates present.