Description
First edition of Across Africa by Verney Lovett Cameron, two volumes, published in 1877.
Octavo, [two volumes], xvi, 389pp; xii, 366pp. Full blue leather, double gilt-ruled border on covers with florets at corners. Title in gilt over red leather spine labels, five raised bands, gilt embellishments. Turn-ins decoratively stamped in blind with gilt floral board edges. Marbled edges and endpapers. Bound by Relfe Brothers of London. Solid text blocks, wear to covers and edges, light rubbing to gilt on spines. Foxing to endpapers, text blocks generally clean. Bookplate affixed to front pastedown endpaper of Volume I. Contains 33 full-page illustrated plates and document facsimiles. Includes frontispiece in each volume and large fold-out map in rear pocket of Volume I. (Hosken 38) An attractive example.
Verney Lovett Cameron (1844-1894) was the first European to travel from one coast of equatorial Africa to the other. Across Africa details his expedition, with specific suggestions of how to open up the continent, including using the great lakes as a Cape to Cairo Road connection.
