- 687
Jobson, Richard
Estimate
5,000 - 8,000 GBP
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Description
- Jobson, Richard
- The Golden Trade: or, a discovery of the River Gambra, and the Golden Trade of the Aethiopians. Also, the commerce with the great blacke Merchant, called Buckor Sano, and his report of the houses covered with Gold and other strange observations for the good of our owne countrey. London: Nicholas Okes, 1623
- paper
FIRST EDITION, small 4to (189 x 138mm.), [vi], 166pp. (some errors in pagination, including page numbers 144-151 omitted), 2 woodcut initials and 2 ornaments, contemporary limp vellum, without blanks A1 and X4
Rare. An account of the first successful attempt to explore the river Gambia (earlier expeditions of 1618 and 1619 having failed owing to Portuguese hostility and the oppressive climate). Jobson sailed in 1620 and returned in 1621, having got as far as Tenda (in modern Senegal). Although he did not find the gold which was the principal purpose of the journey, he reported on 'silent trading' by natives from the coast who carried salt into the interior where it was left to be exchanged for gold dust by a tribe he never saw. Jobson includes a description of the river, the native people (including their customs and dress), animals (including crocodiles, hippopotamuses (“sea horses”), baboons, monkeys, buffaloes, elephants), and various birds. When offered slaves Jobson rejected them saying that “we were a people, who did not deale in any such commodities, neither did wee buy or sell one another, or any that had our owne shape.”
Rare. An account of the first successful attempt to explore the river Gambia (earlier expeditions of 1618 and 1619 having failed owing to Portuguese hostility and the oppressive climate). Jobson sailed in 1620 and returned in 1621, having got as far as Tenda (in modern Senegal). Although he did not find the gold which was the principal purpose of the journey, he reported on 'silent trading' by natives from the coast who carried salt into the interior where it was left to be exchanged for gold dust by a tribe he never saw. Jobson includes a description of the river, the native people (including their customs and dress), animals (including crocodiles, hippopotamuses (“sea horses”), baboons, monkeys, buffaloes, elephants), and various birds. When offered slaves Jobson rejected them saying that “we were a people, who did not deale in any such commodities, neither did wee buy or sell one another, or any that had our owne shape.”
Literature
STC 14623
Condition
A 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."
"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."