Notes taken during travels in Africa...

Rare privately printed journal of Davidson's attempt to cross the Western Sahara from Tangier to Timbuktoo which ended with his murder in November 1836.

John Davidson (1797-1836), an English adventurer, embarked at Falmouth on 1834, taking with him the freed slave Edward Donellan. On arrival at Tangier the British consul begged Davidson to give up his visit to Timbuktu on account of the tribal warfare being waged on the edge of the Sahara, but the explorer pressed on regardless. He arrived
at Fez and left for the desert, passing through Marrakesh, and eventually reached the Wadi Num (Noun or Assaka). In the region of Tindouf he was shot dead and his
possessions stolen. Donellan continued with the caravan to Timbuktu and was never heard of again. Davidson's letters and most of his journal found their way back to Britain and were privately published in 1839. The fine plates depict two views of Wadnoon and one of the river Draha.

First edition. 4to (2.62 x 20cm.), [viii], 218pp., half-title, 3 lithographed plates, polished black morocco by T. Lloyd, inner dentelles, gilt edges, marbled endpapers, plates slightly spotted, a fine copy.

Howgego D4; Playfair & Brown, 609.