Skip to content
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED | EXPERT ADVICE
AUTHENTICITY GUARANTEED

Through Masai Land:

A journey of exploration among the snowclad volcanic mountains and strange tribes of Eastern Equatorial Africa. Being the narrative of the Royal Geographical Society's expedition to Mount Kenia and Lake Victoria Nyanza, 1883-1884.

Stock Code 110875

London, Sampson Low, 1885

Original price $5,752.00 - Original price $5,752.00
Original price $0.00
$5,752.00
$5,752.00 - $5,752.00
Current price $5,752.00
Presentation copy. presentation copy on the half-title "to David McIntosh with the Author's Compliments. Lokoja. March 27th."

David McIntosh was an agent of the National African Company, the major British trading company in West Africa, in the Niger Delta.

The rare first edition. Thomson was a British geologist and explorer who played an important part in the Scramble for Africa. He was the first European to enter several regions of eastern Africa and his writings are outstanding contributions to geographical knowledge, exceptional for their careful records and surveys. His motto is often quoted to be 'He who goes gently, goes safely; he who goes safely, goes far'.

'In 1882 the Royal Geographical Society launched what was to be Thomson's major expedition, to try to find the shortest route from Zanzibar to Uganda. Travelling unarmed from the coastal city of Mombasa, in modern Kenya, he went by way of Kilimanjaro, surviving two crossings through the country of the Masai people, who had previously barred passage. He was the first European to note the existence of Lake Baringo, and he reached Lake Victoria on December 10, 1882' (Encyclopaedia Britannica). Thomson's gazelle and Thomson's Falls are named after him.

The work provided Rider Haggard with the inspiration for King Solomon's Mines.

First edition, presentation copy from Thomson, 8vo, xii, 583 pp., frontispiece, numerous wood-engraved illustrations, 14 full-page, 2 coloured folding maps, original green cloth gilt ruled in black, pictorial gilt vignette to upper cover, neatly recased, a good copy.

Czech p164; Hilmy 286.
Provenance
Delivery

We offer secure and express delivery on all local and international orders of rare books, maps and prints placed through this website.

About us

Shapero Rare Books is an internationally renowned dealer in antiquarian & rare books and works on paper.

Our Bookshop and Gallery can be found in the heart of Mayfair at 106 New Bond Street, where most of our stock is available to view and on public display.

We exhibit at major international art fairs, including TEFAF (Maastricht and New York), Frieze Masters, Art Miami and Masterpiece London, as well as antiquarian & rare book fairs including New York, Paris, London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hong Kong.

Read more

Ask us a question

Through Masai Land:

THOMSON, Joseph.

Stock code: 110875

$5,752.00

THE BOND STREET EXPERIENCE

An exceptional experience in the heart of London’s Mayfair for not only seasoned collectors but those considering purchasing their first rare book or print.

Guaranteed Authenticity
GUARANTEED AUTHENTICITY
International Delivery
INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY
Meet Our Booksellers
MEET OUR BOOKSELLERS
Free Gift Wrapping
FREE GIFT WRAPPING

BOOK COLLECTING IDEAS

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping

Basket