In Darkest Africa – Henry M. Stanley – 1890 | First Edition, Folding Maps

A rare, first edition of Henry Stanley’s In Darkest Africa. Known for his explorations in Africa, Stanley is best remembered for locating the Scottish missionary explorer David Livingstone, whom most had assumed had been lost. It was Stanley’s acquaintance with Livingstone that led him to attempt to relieve the besieged governor Emin Pasha in Equitoria, a voyage that became infamous for losing so many of its members to disease and disaster. In Darkest Africa records the events of the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition, which Stanley personally led. This first edition features all three of the original folding maps, which are often damaged or removed.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: In Darkest Africa: Or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of Equatoria
• Author(s): Henry Morton Stanley
• Publisher: New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons
• Edition: First edition, 1890
• Format: Octavo, (8vo), 2 volumes
• Binding: Dark green cloth
• Size:  ~ 9 in x 6.5 in (23 cm x 16.5 cm)
• Collation:
  • Vol. I: xiv, 547, [1] pp
  • Vol. II: xvi, 540 pp
• Illustrations: 150 illustrations and folding map in pocket
• Contents Include:
  • Expedition to relieve Emin Pasha
  • Exploration of the Congo and Equatoria
  • Encounters with local communities
  • Descriptions of terrain and environment
  • All 3 often-missing folding maps
• Provenance: Handwritten signature of Mr. S. Hutchins, 1890
• Reference(s): Howgego IV S60

Condition:

Very Good condition. Bound in original dark green cloth, slightly rubbed and worn along the edges. Hinges and text block are solid, secure, and intact. Internally complete, with mild age-toning. All three folding maps present, with the largest showing some repair.

Why Collect This?

• True first edition of a classic exploration account
• Includes 3 folding maps
• Includes extensive illustrations documenting the expedition

Item Number: # 31194