Stanley, Henry Morton

2 volumes, 4to (11 1/4 x 8 7/8 in.; 288 x 225mm). 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, one leaf of autograph facsimile, in-text illustrations; one or two closed marginal tears, closed tear to tissue guard, some toning to plates. Original half morocco and vellum over bevelled 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; some spotting to vellum, edges foxed, rubbing to extremities.

Russell Aitken (bookplate to front pastedown of vol. I) — Christie's New York, 4 April 2003, lot 951

2 volumes, 4to (11 1/4 x 8 7/8 in.; 288 x 225mm). 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, one leaf of autograph facsimile, in-text illustrations; one or two closed marginal tears, closed tear to tissue guard, some toning to plates. Original half morocco and vellum over bevelled 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; some spotting to vellum, edges foxed, rubbing to extremities.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.

The Aitken Copy. First American edition, 126 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.