one of the great African narratives completing the navigaton of the river niger.

Richard Lander accompanied Hugh Clapperton as his manservant on his second expedition to explore the Niger in 1825. The expedition disembarked on the Nigerian coast determined to strike inland to Sokoto, then descend the Niger to the Atlantic. Most of the party died of malaria en route and it was only Clapperton and Lander who made it to Sokoto. The local ruler, Mohammed Bello, who had tried to trick Clapperton with a false map on his first expedition with Denham, agreed to allow them to return to the sea by way of the Niger. With success all but guaranteed, Clapperton fell victim to malaria and dysentery and Lander was left to make his way bak alone through territory controlled by hostile tribes.

Lander returned to Nigeria in 1830 on a government-backed expedition accompanied by his brother John and successfully descended the last section of the Niger from Bussa to the Atlantic.

First edition. 3 volumes, small 8vo., engraved portrait frontispiece, 6 engraved plates, 2 maps (1 folding), light spotting to plates, contemporary half calf, marbled boards, a fine set.