usually called the Congo, in South Africa, in 1816, under the direction of Captain J.K. Tuckey, R.N. To which is added the journal of Professor Smith; some general observations on the country and its inhabitants; and an appendix: containing the natural history of that part of the kingdom of Congo through which Zaire flows.
London, Murray, 1818
With a letter signed by Tuckey. The letter, signed by Tuckey and two surveyors, concerns the provision of loaves of bread on the expedition.
The first scientific expedition to the River Congo. In 1816 Tuckey, an explorer and officer in the Royal Navy, sailed to explore the River Congo in the schooner Congo, accompanied by the stores ship Dorothy. The expedition aimed to find if there was a connection between the Congo and Niger basins of western and central Africa. Tuckey sailed up the river from its mouth but found that the lower river is not navigable due to rapids (later called the Yellala Falls) above Matadi, 160 km (99 mi) from the sea. He only found ruins of the Portuguese colony and moribund Catholic missions. He suggested sending Protestant missionaries to the Congo. He explored the river up to 480 km (298 miles) from the sea. Most of the officers and crew died of fever and Tuckey himself died on 14 October 1816, aged 40, in Moanda, on the coast of today's DR Congo. The expedition was a failure but raised interest in the exploration of Africa.
This copy free of the foxing which usually occurs.
First edition. 4to, (28cm) lxxxii, 496 pp., 2 pages ads at end dated 1818, with letter from Tuckey loosely tipped-in, folding map, 13 engraved plates, one coloured, old repair to map at fold, contemporary half calf, marbled boards, black morocco lettering piece, neat repairs to joints and extremities, a very good copy.
Gay 3059.
The first scientific expedition to the River Congo. In 1816 Tuckey, an explorer and officer in the Royal Navy, sailed to explore the River Congo in the schooner Congo, accompanied by the stores ship Dorothy. The expedition aimed to find if there was a connection between the Congo and Niger basins of western and central Africa. Tuckey sailed up the river from its mouth but found that the lower river is not navigable due to rapids (later called the Yellala Falls) above Matadi, 160 km (99 mi) from the sea. He only found ruins of the Portuguese colony and moribund Catholic missions. He suggested sending Protestant missionaries to the Congo. He explored the river up to 480 km (298 miles) from the sea. Most of the officers and crew died of fever and Tuckey himself died on 14 October 1816, aged 40, in Moanda, on the coast of today's DR Congo. The expedition was a failure but raised interest in the exploration of Africa.
This copy free of the foxing which usually occurs.
First edition. 4to, (28cm) lxxxii, 496 pp., 2 pages ads at end dated 1818, with letter from Tuckey loosely tipped-in, folding map, 13 engraved plates, one coloured, old repair to map at fold, contemporary half calf, marbled boards, black morocco lettering piece, neat repairs to joints and extremities, a very good copy.
Gay 3059.
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