1818 Narrative of an Expedition to Explore the River Zaire, Usually Called the Congo, in South Africa, in 1816

Description

First Edition, Folding Maps, Illustrated

The first edition.

Illustrated with a folding map frontispiece, one hand-coloured plate, and twelve plates. Collated, complete.

Captain John Hingston Tuckey's observational account of his 1816 exploration of the River Zaire, known today as the Congo River.

This expedition set out in the schooner Congo in February 1816, aiming to discover if there was a connection between the basins of the Congo and Niger of Western and Central Africa. Upon sailing they found that the lower river was not navigable due to the rapids of Yellala Falls, however this did find the ruins of the Portuguese colony and Catholic missionaries.

Exploring the Isangila most of the officers and crew died of fever, including the author himself. Thus the expedition resulted in a failure, however with the publication of this volume there raised an interest in the exploration of Africa.

Endpapers renewed. Lacking half title.

Advertisement leaf to the rear.

Bookplate of the Warrington Library to the front pastedown, and their stamp to the frontispiece, title page, and perimeters of a number of plates. Library markings to back strip tail.

Including the journal of Professor Smith, and an appendix on the local botany.