Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile,

A finely bound copy of the first expedition to the source of the Nile. Bruce, along with his friend the Italian artist Luigi Balugani, were the first Europeans to exclusively focus on finding the source of the Nile, making this the first scientific expedition to Africa.

Attempting to ascend to Aswan the pair were blocked by hostile tribes, forcing them to head east to the Red Sea, stopping at Jeddah, before crossing back to the Eritrean port of Massawa. They reached the Ethiopian capital of Gondar in February of 1770 and went on to Lake Tana and the Springs of Geesh, which they took for the source of the Nile. This was in face the source of the Blue Nile, which Bruce named the Fountains of the Nile. Balugani died while in Ethiopia, leaving Bruce alone to cross the Nubian Desert and back down the Nile to Cairo.

It was only a decade later, after the death of his wife, that Bruce was convinced to put his extensive manuscript to print. Contemporaries heavily challenged his claims but later travellers and writers showed the accuracy of his information, making his contribution to the geography and natural history of the region significant.

First edition; 5 vols, 4to (30.5 x 24.5 cm); engraved title vignettes, three large folding maps, 55 engraved plates including many natural history studies, four leaves of Ethiopian script, one marginal tear to p749-50 of vol. 3; contemporary speckled calf, professionally rebacked retaining original spines, gilt ruled boards, spines in six elaborately gilt compartments, gilt black morocco lettering pieces, a fine restored set.

Delaney Mountains of the Moon; Gay 44; Nissen ZBI 617; Hilmy I, 91; Blackmer 221; Playfair (Tripoli), 120.