THE DISCOVERY OF RIVER GAMBRA BY RICHARD JOHNSON 1623

GAMBLE David P., HAIR P.E.H. [Editors]

ISBN 10: 0904180646 / ISBN 13: 9780904180640

Published by Hakluyt Society, 1999. 0904180646, 1999

About this Item

1st edn. Tall 8vo. Original gilt decorated navy blue cloth (Fine), dustwrapper (near Fine in protective cover). Pp. xvi + 341, with coloured frontispiece plate and b&w illus and maps in text (no inscriptions). [Hakluyt Society Third Series No. 2].

Seller Inventory # 161720

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE DISCOVERY OF RIVER GAMBRA BY RICHARD JOHNSON 1623
• Publisher: Hakluyt Society, 1999. 0904180646
• Publication Date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0904180646
• ISBN 13: 9780904180640
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
• Seller catalogs:
  • Naval History

About this title

Synopsis

In 1623 Richard Jobson published an account of a 1620-1621 English voyage up River Gambra, during which a party, led by himself, penetrated to a point some 460 miles up-river. The purpose of the voyage was to make contact with the gold trade of the West African interior, but in this there was little success. However, Jobson’s account of the river, its commerce, natural history, peoples, religions and polities, was the earliest to appear in print, in this fullness of detail, in any language. It was also the earliest detailed account of any part of Black Africa, by an Englishman. Jobson’s account, almost entirely original, has special interest in its author’s observations on the African scene, particularly those on the African peoples and individuals encountered. Jobson discusses such topics as local agriculture and trade, the role of Islam, political culture, and the position of women. Despite the limits of his experience, his observations are seemingly accurate and generally perceptive, as well as being (perhaps unexpectedly) often tolerant and even sympathetic.

About the Author

Richard Jobson, David P. Gamble and P.E.H. Hair