Books

First US edition, this copy in notably attractive condition. Stanley's controversial Trans-African Expedition of 1874-7 claimed it had succeeded in "solving the remaining mysteries of African geography" (ODNB). Exploring equatorial Africa and, in particular, the Great Lakes regions, Stanley finally dispelled Livingstone's notion that the "Lualaba was the source of the Nile and vindicated Speke's claim that the lake seen on his expedition with Burton was indeed one of the sources" (Howgego). While this brought Stanley great acclaim, it was tempered by criticism of the militarisation of his expedition, and the considerable loss of life. Following Samuel Baker's lead, the Trans-African Expedition involved "the show and sometimes use of military-like force to counteract local opposition" (Newman, p. xix). Through the Dark Continent was first published in the UK earlier the same year. Two vols, octavo. Original dark green cloth with wraparound pictorial design in red, black, and gilt, spine and front cover lettered in gilt, brown coated endpapers. Portrait frontispiece in each vol. and 32 plates, 10 maps in all, one double-page and 3 folding, the 2 larger folding coloured maps in end pockets of each vol., numerous wood-engravings to the text, many full-page. Binding lightly rubbed, wear to spine ends and corners, cloth design remaining bright, inner hinges cracked but solid, pp. 178-223 of vol. 1 proud, pocket maps worn at folded edges, overall well preserved. A very good copy. Howgego IV S59; Mendelssohn IV, p. 379. James L. Newman, Imperial Footprints: Henry Morton Stanley's African Journeys, 2004.

A detailed narrative of Stanley's expedition through Africa from the eastern to the western coast, shedding light on the uncharted interior of the continent.