The Ashanti Campaign of 1900

London: Sands & Co., 1901. Book. Poor. Hardcover. First Edition.. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. In 1900, Sir Frederick M. Hodgson, governor of the Gold Coast, demanded to sit on the Golden Stool, sacred to the Ashanti people of the Akan interior (present-day Ghana). He hadn't a clue how serious his demand would seem to the Ashanti, who immediately prepared for and waged war rather than let the honour of their sacred object be thus demeaned. This is the story of the consequences, by two of the participants. This copy comes with a two-page printed insert from Hodgson to The Right Honourable J. Chamberlain, M.P., reporting details of the death of Captain P.H.A. Leggett, assistant inspector of the Gold Coast Constabulary, during the hostilities, and asking that Chamberlain convey to Leggett's relatives his "profound sympathy and the sympathy of all the European officers who were associated with" Leggett. The insert was once affixed to the top left corners of the front end paper/half-title/frontispiece, but has since come loose. At the top of the half-title is the handwritten inscription, "Mrs. Leggett Ambleside Sidcup/June 1901." This is therefore presumed to be the copy presented to Mrs. Leggett. Red cloth w/gilt lettering to front cover/spine, 278 pages (including appendices, index), illustrated, plan of Kumasi and map illustrating the campaign affixed at rear. All illustrations present, although one is bound in at a different spot than indicated in the list of illustrations. Worn/frayed corners/spine ends, cover wear, gilt faded (severely so to spine), hinges split, front end paper detached, pencil marginalia throughout, shaken signatures, some internal soil/foxing, tape stains, general wear and tear..