Travels and Discoveries in North and Central Africa:

rare first edition set in original cloth

Rare first edition set in original cloth.

'Barth is one of the European superstars of African travel and exploration. Disguised as a Muslim scholar, he spent five years ranging widely and freely over northern, central, and western Africa, and returned with much useful information about the region's culture and economy' (Delaney).

Johann Heinrich Barth (1821-1865) accompanied James Richardson and German geologist Adolf Overweg on their expedition to suppress the slave trade around Lake Chad in 1849. He was the only survivor and accompanied by several local Arabs was able to pass unchecked through much of West Africa including a nine month stay in Timbuktu. His account of his travels were some of the most scientific publications on African cultures at the time, and are accompanied by extensive illustrations, tables, vocabularies, meteorological data, and descriptions of routes and towns. His achievements were never officially recognised by the British Government.

First English edition; 5 vols, 8vo (23 x 15.5 cm); 15 maps, some folding, 60 tinted lithographed plates, numerous woodcuts, mostly in text, one large folding woodcut, armorial bookplates and discreet shelf marks to pastedowns, previous ownership inscription to pastedowns, a couple folding maps professionally repaired; publisher's original green blind-stamped cloth, gilt lettering to spines, a few small nicks to cloth, a few hinges weak, a very good set.

Abbey (Travel), 274; Delaney, John, To the Mountains of the Moon; Gay 207; Hilmy I, p53; Playfair & Brown, No. 777.