The Oil Fields of Russia.

A richly illustrated work on the oil fields of present day Azerbaijan written by Arthur Beeby-Thompson, a pioneer in the early development of the global oil industry. Beeby-Thompson left England for Baku in 1898 at a time when Caspian Sea oil fields accounted for more than 50% of the world's output. On top of his duties as Chief Mechanical Engineer he spent much of his time studying geology and researching how to increase efficiency and extraction. His extensive knowledge and experience of the region culminated in the publication of the present work.

Despite the success of the Caspian oil fields, the region was not without its dangers. Fires were at least a weekly occurrence. The wooden derricks were frequently soaked in oil, with oil stored in adjacent open vats and the fact that no-smoking regulations were generally ignored resulted in many damaging blazes (as illustrated here). Robbery and murder were also common threats, with robbers frequenting both main roads and narrow city streets, while professional assassins were readily available to settle political and business disputes.

Second, revised and enlarged edition, 8vo (19 x 16 cm); xix, 415pp., profusely illustrated with plates and charts as well as a folding map; original navy cloth gilt, minor staining to upper cover otherwise a very good example.