Browne, William George

FIRST EDITION, LARGE PAPER COPY ON THICK PAPER, 4to (292 x 226mm.), xxxviii, 496pp., half-title, 2 folding engraved maps, 2 engraved plates, contemporary speckled calf, gilt spine, black label, marbled endpapers and edges

Sir Thomas Munro, Governor of Madras, armorial bookplate

Blackmer 219; Hilmy I p.91; Gay 43; Atabey 156 (later French edition)

An exceptionally fine copy
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Browne arrived in Alexandria in 1792 and explored the antiquities at Siwah, Cairo and Kosier. He then decided to go with the great Sudanese caravan to Darfur, and his was the first European description of the area. He was detained there by the Sultan but spent his time usefully by examining the country and returned with the caravan in 1796, having obtained remarkably accurate information on the course of the Nile. He arrived in England in 1798 by way of Syria, Asia Minor and Constantinople. He later travelled in Turkey and the Levant generally, meeting an untimely end at the hands of Persian bandits in 1813.