The Himalayan journey of Walter N. Koelz : the University of Michigan Himalayan expedition, 1932-1934

In the fall of 1932, University of Michigan naturalist Walter N. Koelz traveled to northwest India to lead a scientific collecting expedition in the rugged Himalayan regions of Western Tibet. Some eighteen months later he returned to the United States with a remarkable collection of biological specimens and an array of objects—Buddhist paintings, ritual objects, textiles, and household goods—acquired from monasteries, households, and merchants. This book presents the diary entries Koelz wrote at the end of each day throughout his expedition, recounting in detail each day's travels, bookended by a chapter contextualizing his acquisition of sacred Buddhist objects and an appendix that presents previously unpublished thangka paintings that he collected. Contents List of Tables List of Plates Acknowledgments Walter Koelz and His Himalayan Expedition References Cited Himalayan Expedition Diary Transcription Koelz Diary Entries June–July 1933 August 1933 September 1933 October 1933 November 1933 December 1933 January 1934 February 1934 March 1934 April 1934 May 1934 Appendix: Descriptions of Thangkas in the George Lauff, the Harley H. Bartlett, and the Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Ruthven Collections by T. Joseph Leach and Rebecca Bloom