In Darkest Africa

Stanley's remarkable account of his expedition from the East Coast through the heart of Africa to the land of The Nile. This expedition was originally intended as a rescue mission for Emin Pasha after Khartoum fell into hands of the Mahdists and General Gordon was killed. Athough failing in its primary objective, the expedition accomplished great things, Stanley discovered the great snow-capped range of Ruwenzori, the Mountains of the Moon, besides a new lake which he named the Albert Edward Nyanza, and a large south-western extension of Lake Victoria, and he had come upon the pigmy tribes who had inhabited the great African forest since prehistoric times. On his way down to the coast Stanley had concluded treaties with various native chiefs which he transferred to Sir William Mackinnon's company and so laid the foundation of the British East African Protectorate.

First edition; 2 vols, 8vo (23.5 x 16 cm); 2 frontispieces, 3 folding maps, 2 of which with hinge tears repaired, 37 plates, numerous text illustrations, contemporary ownership inscriptions to first blank; original reddish-brown gilt pictorial cloth, map end-papers, light wear, spines restored, inner hinges a little weak, still a very good set; xv, 529; xv, 472 pp.

Howgego IV S60.