1860 The Lake Regions of Central Africa A Picture of Exploration

Description

Colour Plates, Fine Binding, Illustrated

In a smart half morocco binding with marbled paper covered boards. Richard Burton was a British explorer who was well known for his travels in Asia, Africa, and America. He translated an edition of 'One Thousand and One Nights', and published 'Kama Sutra' in English. He was critical of the colonial policies of the British Empire, and was also a captain in the army of the East India Company. His life and adventures were frequently written about in the penny dreadfuls of the time. This work is considered to be one of Richard Burton's best books. It follows his Royal Geographical Society funded expedition to Zanzibar to explore the 'inland sea' previously described by Arab traders. He was accompanied by John Hanning Speke and started at the east coast of Africa, heading west in search of the lake or lakes which were believed to be the source of the Nile river. Burton explains in great detail the languages, customs and geography of the areas he travelled for what was his last great expedition. This account is a personal one, with Burton writing to the preface 'I have not attempted to avoid intruding matters of a private and personal nature upon the reader; it would have been impossible to avoid egotism in a purely egotistical narrative.' This expedition was lengthy and no mean feat. It is regarded to be Burton's hardest expedition. With half-titles. First edition, first impression with the 24 page publisher's adverts dated October 1858 as called for. Bolton Public Library and Museum blind stamp to most pages and all plates to the top right corner. Illustrated, with a chromoxylograph frontis, five further chromoxylographs, eight woodcuts, and the folding map (loosely inserted) to volume I. Volume II contains a chromo frontispiece, five more chromoxylographs and fourteen woodcuts to volume II. Collated, complete.