Or The Quest Rescue And Retreat Of Emin Governor Of Equatoria.
HENRY STANLEY IN SUDAN
In Darkest Africa Or The Quest Rescue And Retreat Of Emin Governor Of Equatoria.
Sampson, Low & Co., 1890.
First edition. Two volumes. 8vo. Original brown pictorial cloth, decorated in gilt and printed in black and grey. Loosely laid into this copy is a small fragment from the spine of one of the very rare pictorial dustwrappers, measuring c. 15 x 51mm. Frontispiece and a colour folding map to each volume, with an additional folding map and coloured profile sketch to the second volume. Thirty-six black and white plates in total, with further illustrations in the text and map endpapers. A very good set. The covers very fresh and bright, with a little toning to the spines and some light wear to the spine ends. Generally clean internally but for the odd spot of foxing. A c.2cm tear to each folding map where it joins the stub, as often. Ownership inscription to the first blank of volume I.
Stanley's famous account of the Emin Pasha relief expedition to equatorial Sudan, a classic of African exploration. The relief mission was costly and harrowing, as Stanley's account shows, with the arduous four month passage through the Ituri forest alone claiming the lives of 180 of Stanley's men and "stands as one of the most gruelling and difficult journey's on record" (Howgego).
Stanley compiled his account of the journey with the efficiency of a seasoned foreign correspondent, writing around twenty pages a day for fifty days at a hotel in Cairo.
The resultant work secured his fame as an explorer and writer:
"Stanley arrived [back] in England to a hero's welcome. His 'In Darkest Africa' was published in June that year, sold 150,000 copies and was immediately translated into six languages. Impresarios in countries as far afield as North America and Australia clamoured for Stanley's presence on the lecture circuits; he was given the freedom of five British cities and awarded honorar doctorates by Edinburgh, Oxford, Durham and Cambridge" (Howgego).
Due to the great weight of the text block copies in the original cloth, in nice condition and with sound hinges, are uncommon.
Howgego IV S60
Stock ID: 40815
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