In Darkest Africa

NY: Charles Scribner's & Sons, 1890. First American edition. Two volumes, hard covers in original cloth. Published NY: Charles Scribner's, 1890, first printing. 8vo., 6 1/2" x 9", xiv+547; xvi+540, 45 full-page engravings (including frontispieces), plus approximately 100 illustrations within the text, plus three folded color maps in pockets (two large, one small). Dark green pictorial cloth with gilt titles and blind embossed African continent, brown endpapers. Stanley's detailed account of the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition (1886-1889), in which he led 400 armed men through the Congo and Ituri rain forest in an unsuccessful bid to rescue the Equatoria governor. The expedition suffered heavy losses through death and desertion. Nevertheless, Stanley made several interesting discoveries and negotiated treaties with tribal chiefs that served Britain's colonial interests. Sweating indications along the front edge of the boards with some dye bleed residue spots on front edge of page block and a bit into the margins, not affecting the lay of the paper. Slight wear at the spine ends, small chip to the cloth on spine of vol 1, rub to a few tips, otherwise very good, bindings strong and tight, maps very good. All three maps are present. Bookplate of Robert Clarence Pruyn (1847-1934) in each volume. Pruyn was an American inventor, banker and politician. He was President of National Commercial Bank and Trust Company of Albany and executive at other large businesses. He established the 13,000 acre Santanoni Preserve in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.. 1st. Hard. Good Plus/No Jacket. 8vo.