Descrizione

First edition, early impression. A copy with outstanding provenance and an important Association Copy and a Presentation Copy. The Volume is Autographed and Presented by the publisher and signed by the recipient, William Hoffman, himself a noteworthy explorer who accompanied Stanley to Africa. Three historically significant letters are tipped into the volume including one from Stanley himself, which refers directly to Capt. Burrows, the author of the book as well as to the Congo State and the ‘proposal to push the new Railway from Stanleyville East.” A second letter from Lieutenant Cloesen, Chef de Zone and dated Feb. 1893, from Wells River, Central Africa states in part that “The Arabs are in great numbr with plenty of guns, close to Nyangara.Nyangara will try and give them a hiding. WE SHALL HAVE TO MAKE WAR WITH THE ARABS.” The last letter from Bullinger, dated May 25 1899, Mogandjo, Africa, refers to the state of the author’s health: “Awfully glad to hear Burrows is on the mend.please send me 1000 cartridges. I have 110 out emposte & only about 600 odd here. Thanks for the fusils a piston”. Over 100 illustrations from photographs, one sketch map, one colour folding map. 8vo, publisher’s original dark red cloth, lettered in gilt on spine and upper cover, light blue and gilt image of a flag with a large single star on upper cover. xxviii, list of illustrations, 276, appendix, index,18 (publisher’s list) pp. A sturdy and solid copy with expected evidence of use. The owner was one of the group that accompanied Stanley to Africa and it is clear that he used his books and read them with fervour.