A Visit to St Petersburg in the Winter of 1829-30

First edition, first printing.  xii, 384pp. Half bound in tan calf’s leather over marbled paper boards, five raised bands on a decorated spine.  Text block edges sprayed red. 8vo.  Boards are worn, heavily rubbed on corners and a little rounded on corners and spine ends, backstrip partially detached by crack along rear joint.  Upper text block edge dust dulled.  Some mild toning and spotting to endpapers and first and last few leaves. Armorial bookplet of Thomas Philip Earl de Grey, 2nd Earl de Grey and 3rd Baron Grantham, of Wrest Park,  on the front paste down, else internally neat, clean and tight.

Thomas Raikes (1777-1848)  was a London banker by trade but also a diplomat, dandy and diarist.  This is his account of his journey in Russia during the winter of 1829-30, providing a unique perspective on the city of St Petersburg and his impressions of the Winter Palace and the opulence of Russia’s royal court. But he also gives an account of the poor living conditions and social situation of the city’s poorest people and insight into the Russia’s political and social climate as well as its relations with Britain.  Very hard to find title.