THE CONGO AND THE FOUNDING OF ITS FREE STATE: A Story of Work and Exploration

London: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington, 1885. 2 volumes. First edition. Illustrated with a profusion of black and white illustrations throughout, both full-page and in the text as well as with fold-out maps including large folding maps in the pockets of the rear of the books. 8vo, publisher’s elaborately decorated pictorial brown cloth, lettered and decorated in gilt and black on the covers and spines. xxvii, 528; x, 483, Index, 32 ads. pp. A very handsome and bright set of this elusive first edition, very well preserved indeed. Some very minor evidence of age or use, but unusually pleasing set of these heavy well produced books. THE SCARCE FIRST EDITION OF STANLEY’S IMPORTANT AND POPULAR WORK ON THE FOUNDING OF THE CONGO FREE STATE. This two-volume work of exploration, history, and socio-political-economy is the result of Stanley's expedition up the Congo River in1879-84 and his attempts to re-open the interior for King Leopold of Belgium. From this journey came the establishment of the Congo State, the first free commercial state in Equatorial Africa.
Henry Stanley was one of the most popular figures of the 19th Century. Adventurer, explorer and rescuer-- the public could not get enough of this romantic figure. In true Victorian style, this volume highlights his greatest achievements, his rescues of LIvingstone and Emin Pasha and his aid in establishing the Congo Free State.
Sets of this important work in original cloth have become exceeding difficult to obtain. First English editions are now especially elusive.