First edition illustrated with 90 engravings after the author's sketches and one map, including 61 plates and one in color. Publisher's half red shagreen binding signed by Magnier at foot. Spine with false raised bands decorated with richly ornamented compartments. Red percaline boards. Rubbing to headcaps. 3 corners slightly bumped. Scattered foxing. The author (1843-1919) participated in the commercial and scientific expedition of Sosnovsky and Matoussovsky who traveled through Siberia, Lake Baikal and Mongolia during the years 1874 and 1875. They were the first explorers to cross the entire Gobi Desert from Berkul to Lanjou, and made a circuit between Beijing and Shanghai before returning first to Mongolia, then again across the Gobi Desert, to finally reach their native country. This work is the only account of this journey, which was first published in Russian in 1880.