Bruce, James

Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile, in the Years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773. Edinburgh: Printed by J. Ruthven for G. G. J & J. Robinson, London, 1790



Together with:



Richard Wharton. Observations on the Authenticity of Bruce's Travels in Abyssinia; in reply to some pasages in Brown's travels though Egypt, Africa, and Syria. Newcastle: Printed and sold by T. Cadell et al, 1800



5 volumes, 4to (12 1/2 x 9 3/4 in.; 318 x 248 mm, uncut). Bruce: Half-titles, engraved title vignettes, engraved arms on dedication leaf in vol. 1, 4 leaves of Ethiopian dialect in facsimile in vol. 1, 3 engraved battle plans in vol. 4, 54 engraved plates, 3 folding engraved maps at the end of vol. 5; occasional dampstaining and foxing to plates, a few plates offsetting to text, offsetting to folding maps, light paper discoloration to text in vol. 2 (occasionally strong),  pressman's finger-soiling in margins of vols. 2 and 4, occasional marginal dampstaining and foxing. Contemporary marbled boards, later paper spines and printed paper spine labels; extremities a bit bumped. Wharton: 4to ( 10 3/8 x 8 1/2 in.; 260 x 216 mm). Light text browning and scattered foxing. Uniformly bound with Bruce in marbled wrappers, tan paper spine; right margin of upper wrapper frayed.   

"JB" (monogrammed bookplate surmounted by a viscount's coronet)

Blackmer 221; Cox I:388–389; Gay 44; Hilmy I:91

First edition. Bruce undertook his tour of Egypt and Ethiopia in 1768 accompanied by the Italian artist Luigi Balugani. Bruce spent five years in upper Egypt, Abyssinia, and in the exploration of the Nile. "More than 150 years had passed since any European had visited Abyssinia except for the French surgeon Poncet, and Bruce's account of his travels provided important information. The plates, based on his own and Baugani's drawings, include maps, botanical and zoological specimens, antiquities, artifacts, and plans of monuments. But the interest of his travels is to be found as much in their literary qualities as in his portrayal of Abyssinia. 'He will always remain the poet, and his work the epic, of African travel'" (DNB quoted in Blackmer).  The literary quality of his narrative cast doubts on its veracity, which led to several parodies of his work, the best known of which is The Travels of Baron Munchausen—and hence the necessity of Richard Wharton's publication.