Details

BURTON, Sir Richard Francis [1821-1890].. The Lake Regions Of Central Africa A Picture Of Exploration.

2 Volumes. 8vo. pp. xvi, [1 leaf], 412; vi, [1 leaf], 468 +24(ads). with half-titles. folding partly coloured map, 12 chromoxylographed plates (incl. 2 frontis.) & 22 wood engravings in the text. original orange-red cloth (bit soiled, library markings neatly removed from titles & lower spines, otherwise very good). First Edition, Second Issue. An account of Burton's 1856-59 expedition in company with John Hanning Speke to central east Africa in search of the the source of the Nile. Setting out from Zanzibar, the expedition endured incredible difficulties and hardships due in part to the untrustworthiness of their followers as to opposion from native tribes before arriving at Lake Tanganyika, the largest of the Central African lakes on February 14, 1858 almost eight months later. Following three months spent exploring the shores of the lake, the return journey was commenced and Speke was detached to verify reports of another lake to the northward, which he only sighted from a distance, and surmised to be the true source of the white Nile. This lake, the Victoria Nyanza, was later proven by Speke to be the source on a subsequent expedition in company with James Augustus Grant, but his surmise led to a bitter and celebrated feud with Burton. In the preface Burton dismisses Speke as being no more than a subordinate on the expedition, never having held the position of surveyor as he claimed upon his return to England. Penzer pp. 65-66. Hosken p. 34.

$6480 USD