HANDBOOK OF SIBERIA
AND ARCTIC RUSSIA
NAVAL STAFF INTELLLIGENCE
NAVAL STAFF INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT, London, 1918
A very rare, original, 1918 edition of volume one of the British Naval Staff Intelligence Department Handbook of Siberia and Arctic Russia. Classified as secret, and with a very restricted circulation, this handbook was part of a three volume set produced during WW1 for official use only. Its use was covered by the Official Secrets Act. It is a very detailed and comprehensive survey of all that was known at the time about the topography, peoples, customs, climate, religions, railways, transport, agriculture, natural resources, and industry of Siberia and Arctic Russia in 1918. It comes complete with the large coloured folding map of Siberia (53cm x 66cm) in a pocket at the rear. An invaluable reference work for anyone interested in this region during the First World War.
(A complete three volume set of the Handbook of Siberia sold at Christies in New York in 2017 for $1250)
Naval Staff Intelligence Department: The Naval Intelligence Division (NID) was created as part of the Admiralty War Staff in 1912, and was the intelligence arm of the British Admiralty before the establishment of a unified Defence Intelligence Staff in 1964. It dealt with matters concerning British naval plans, and with the collection of naval intelligence. It was also known as "Room 39", after its room number at the Admiralty. The department produced a series of handbooks during WW1 to aid the allied war effort and provide intelligence for officers in all branches of the armed services.
Condition:
In very good condition. The boards are in very good condition, with minor signs of wear, the remains of an index number at the bottom of the spine, and a small gilt library stamp to the front board. The binding and hinges are very good and secure. The text is in very good condition, with university library ‘Withdrawn’ ink stamps and labels to the front endpapers and title page. The map of Siberia in the pocket at the rear is in excellent condition.
Published: 1918
Blue boards with gilt titling
With map of Siberia (53cm x 66cm) in pocket at rear
Dimensions: 125mm x 185mm
Pages: 384
