Princesse de Belgiojoso, “Asie Mineure et Syrie”, Paris 1861. Second edition (same year with the first). In 8vo, 19x12cm. Contemporary publisher’s green paperboards, almost in mint condition, text clean, a large uncut copy, overall fine condition. Complete, half title, title, 427p. Cristina di Belgiojoso (1808-1871) was an Italian noblewoman who played a prominent role in Italy’ s struggle for Independence. In 1849 after the failed attempt of the revolution to overthrow the Austrians, she had fled to Constantinople. She bought land in the remote Tsiamakoglou area, in central Anatolia, near Ankara and lived there in exile for eight years. During that time she also travelled to Syria and Palestine. She returned to Europe in 1861, when Cavour achieved the unification of Italy and published her travel account for the Levant. It is a fascinating account, with detailed description of central Anatolia from someone who lived there in the middle of 19th century. She found the condition of women in Asia Minor particularly disturbing. Very few travel accounts were written by a woman in that time. Almost unique for Asia Minor. VERY RARE. Not in Atabey or Blackmer.