Lake Victoria: A Narrative of Explorations in Search of the Source of the Nile (1868)

Collectible first edition, first printing of George C. Swayne's mid-19th-century documentation of the African expeditions of British explorers John Hanning Speke and James Augustus Grant to map the true source of the Nile River. Much detail of the harrowing journey, including 19 full-page engravings of waterfalls, natives and more. In variant burgundy binding with gilt pictorial to front panel and gilt lettering to spine panel. Complete as issued, lacking lacking folding map. Tight copy with scattered foxing and occasional faint tidelines. Lightly bumped extremities with tiny instances of fabric bubbling to front panel and small area of staining to bottom right corner. Ownership signature to half title page and title page. A presentable copy of an important African exploration collectible. 5 1/4" x 7 3/4". 342 pp. Photographs of or additional information about this item are available on request. All inquiries answered promptly.