Albert Gaudry: Recherches Scientifiques en Orient …pendant les Annees 1853-1854.Paris 1855 First edition,large in Quatro, contemporary fine red leather over red boards, spine richly gilt, edges gilt, text clean and bright, complete 446p., and the 8 full page plates at the end, but without the separately published big map often present, overall in fine condition, a brilliant copy with very light marginal wear Gaudry was sent by the French Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce to survey the Eastern Mediterranean. He was investigating the productive capacity of the land. The second and the largest section of the book is devoted to Cyprus. Gaudry provided the first modern, systematic description of Cypriot agriculture, focusing on its famous wine, silk and cotton. He also traveled extensively through the Greek mainland and Syria, examining the state of the soil and the potential for French investment in the resources of the Levant. Gaudry documents the impact of the powdery mildew that was devastating Mediterranean vineyards at the time. It was during this mission that Gaudry first encountered the fossil beds of Pikermi in Attica and turned his interest in geology and paleontology. A very important book for Cyprus and Greece.