Stanley, Henry M. | One of 250 deluxe Demy Quarto copies
Auction Closed
April 26, 08:00 PM GMT
Estimate
2,000 - 3,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Stanley, Henry M.
In Darkest Africa. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1890
2 vol, 4to (290 x 225 mm). Half-titles, photogravure frontispieces, titles in red and black, 4 colored maps, 3 of which folding with the 2 largest on linen as issued, 6 etchings by M.G. Montbard signed in pencil, 36 plates, in-text illustrations, 1 leaf of autograph facsimile; first few leaves in volume 2 loosening, maps on linen splitting along 1 or 2 folds, some toning to plates, "General View of Ruwenzori" and attendant tissue guard soiled. Original half morocco and vellum over beveled boards, upper boards with gilt lettering and central flag fern motif, spines with raised bands in six compartments, second, third, and fourth gilt-lettered, top edges gilt; rubbed at extremities with corners exposed, font hinge of volume 2 cracked, spotting and wear to vellum.
First American edition, 204 of 250 deluxe Demy Quarto copies signed by Stanley on the limitation page. Stanley's expedition to rescue the Ottoman-German naturalist and one-time governor of Equatoria, Emin Pasha, set out in January 1887. Following a particularly treacherous and difficult route, which included a five month journey through the Ituri rain forest, and having lost two-thirds of the party, Stanley eventually convinced Emin Pasha to leave Equatoria in 1889. The six etchings by M.G. Montbard were specially prepared for this edition-de-luxe, and each is signed in pencil by the artist. Stanley's more celebrated African quest was in search of the explorer and missionary David Livingstone.
PROVENANCE:
Susan and Jim Woenne (bookplates to pastedowns)
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