1929 Vagabonding At Fifty Siberia To Turkestan By Wilson & Mitchell 1st Edition

This is a rare book to find.  A tale of middle-aged adventurers Helen Calista Wilson and Elsie Reed Mitchell's at times humorous account of their dangerous(? ) 1928 pilgrimage on foot from Southern Siberia to Turkestan, more or less following the path of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Warned of "warlike tribes" and "bloodthirsty pirates" they charmed their way though all, refusing shelter and sleeping in the open air. Per Coward McCann, Inc. 's practice of designating first editions during this period, a red colophon with a full torch and base appears on the title page (second and later printings eliminated the torch portion). 21 full-page black and white-and at times intriguing-photos, capturing some of the essence of this now long-forgotten way of life. The book was written immediately following their journey in "a tiny room on the outskirts of Moscow, " cooking their meals on "a one-hole kerosene stove which spits forth its blue flame with a menacing roar and a nauseating odor".

Clothbound hardcover book with signs of wear to cover edges and corners. Back cover hinge is broken / split with binding webbing visible. Pages are tight and clean / unmarked.