The Nile tributaries of Abyssinia
by BAKER, Sir Samuel W
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Sherman Oaks, California, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co, 1868. FIRST AMERICAN EDITION. With portrait frontispiece of Baker and his wife, 2 hand colored maps (1 folding), and 23 woodcut plates. Buckram, gilt spine; foxing on frontispiece and first few leaves, otherwise very clean. Ownership inscription in pencil on the back of the frontispiece. First American edition. Baker (1821-1893) was a British explorer, naturalist, and big game hunter, chiefly remembered for his exploration of central Africa and the "discovery" of the Albert N'yanza (Lake Albert), the source of the Nile River. He won the Royal Geographical Society's gold medal for this discovery. Baker was also a prolific writer and published many popular accounts of his adventures (it is little wonder why his work was so popular - the sensationalist chapter headings would make even Indiana Jones blush!). The present volume details his 12-month exploration of the Nile River system and is an important account of European exploration of Africa during the Victorian period.
The double portrait frontispiece of Baker and his wife tells a particularly interesting story - truly the stuff of fiction. Although conflicting reports remain, Baker purportedly bought the future Lady Florence Baker at a white slave auction that he attended with the Maharaja Duleep Singh. Despite the rather strange beginning, Lady Florence Baker was a faithful companion to her husband and joined him on many adventures abroad, including the one described here. This is confirmed by Baker in his preface: "I was accompanied throughout the entire journey by my wife, who, with extraordinary hardihood and devotion, shared every difficulty with which African travel is beset.".
The double portrait frontispiece of Baker and his wife tells a particularly interesting story - truly the stuff of fiction. Although conflicting reports remain, Baker purportedly bought the future Lady Florence Baker at a white slave auction that he attended with the Maharaja Duleep Singh. Despite the rather strange beginning, Lady Florence Baker was a faithful companion to her husband and joined him on many adventures abroad, including the one described here. This is confirmed by Baker in his preface: "I was accompanied throughout the entire journey by my wife, who, with extraordinary hardihood and devotion, shared every difficulty with which African travel is beset.".
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Details
- Bookseller
- Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 15025
- Title
- The Nile tributaries of Abyssinia
- Author
- BAKER, Sir Samuel W
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- FIRST AMERICAN EDITION
- Publisher
- J. B. Lippincott & Co
- Place of Publication
- Philadelphia
- Date Published
- 1868
- Keywords
- Africa, Lake Albert, Victorian period, women, Nile, Abyssinia, travel & exploration, american imprints, 19th century
Terms of Sale
Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts
Biblio member since 2009
Sherman Oaks, California
About Rootenberg Rare Books & Manuscripts
Founded in 1970, Rootenberg Rare Books has served a large international clientele of collectors as well as private and public institutions in the acquisition of rare books and manuscripts, and in collection development. We are among the leading specialists in the fields of science, medicine, technology and natural history. We also maintain high quality rare books and manuscripts in diverse subjects including travel and exploration, literary classics, economics and philosophy, Americana, and modern first editions, many inscribed. Our expertise and familiarity with these subjects allows us to acquire and house major collections in these fields. We are dedicated to our customer's specific needs, and look forward to developing long term relationships by keeping you informed about significant materials in your areas of interest. Rootenberg Rare Books consists of three generations: grandmother, father and daughter, and is located minutes from West Los Angeles, near UCLA and the Getty, as well as a second location in Durham, North Carolina. We always welcome visitors, though appointments are suggested. We occasionally issue finely printed and illustrated catalogues as well as specialized subject lists, and are constantly adding existing and new material to our website. We exhibit at several national and international book fairs during the year, represent clients at auction and offer appraisal and other professional services. We are always interested in purchasing single items or entire collections, and would be pleased to consider any materials you wish to sell. Special requests and specific wants will be given particular attention. We are always available, via phone, fax or email, to answer questions, search for a specific title, or provide information on our inventory.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- Leaves
- Very generally, "leaves" refers to the pages of a book, as in the common phrase, "loose-leaf pages." A leaf is a single sheet...
- Buckram
- A plain weave fabric normally made from cotton or linen which is stiffened with starch or other chemicals to cover the book...