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Auction #114 begins on 11 Apr 2024

Park (Mungo)

REIZE IN DE BINNENLANDEN VAN AFRIKA GEDURENDE DE JAREN 1795, 1796 EN 1797

Published: J. C. Leeuwestijn, In Den Haage, 1801

Edition: First Dutch Edition

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3 vols. 8vo. XVIII, 284 (8); (4), 261 (9); XXVIII, 322 (6) pp. Original contemporary binding with green gilt titled-labels on spines. Printed on a light-gram laid paper with matching end-papers. Deckle-edged text-block. Complete with all maps and engravings as called for. Previous owner`s name rubber stamped to front fixed EPs.

Scuffing to marbled boards. Remarkably clean throughout. Internal bindings are very good.

Vol. 1: full-page stipple-engraved author's portrait by Portman, large folding engraved map by C. van Baar after J. Rennell, folding engraved view of the tent of Ali on Benown by R. Vinkeles after J.C. Barrow, full-page engraved plate of a plant (Rhamnus Lotus)
Vol. 2: folding engraved plate with musical scores ('Muziek voor den Negerinnen-zang'), folding engraved view of Kamalia by R. Vinkeles after J.C. Barrow.
Vol. 3: 2 folding engraved maps, folding engraved view of a bridge over the 'Ba-fing, of Zwarte rivier') by R. Vinkeles after J.C. Barrow, folding engraved plate of a plant ('Shea of Boterbloem'), some tables in text.

First Dutch edition of one of the most important and immensely popular travel books of the early nineteenth century.

At the instigation of Sir Joseph Banks, president of the Royal Society Mungo Park (1771-1806) offered his services to the African Association in 1794, and was selected to lead an exploring expedition into the interior of Africa, the intention being to follow the route pioneered by Daniel Houghton across Africa in an attempt to reach the river Niger. Sailing from Portsmouth in May 1795 in the ship 'Endeavour', Park landed at Jillifree, on the north bank of the Gambia in June, and proceeded upriver to Pisania (July 1795), a trading station run by his friend John Laidley. After an illness Park left Pisania in December with Johnston, an English speaking guide, a slave, a horse and two asses, food supply for two days, an umbrella, a sextant, a compass, a thermometer and four firearms to reach Simbing 150 miles north of Bamako in February 1796. At Jarra, Park entered the Moorish kingdom of Ludamar, where he was subjected to every kind of abuse, and was detained by King Ali until his escape with Johnson. Robbed of his last possessions, he eventually succeeded in entering Bambara country to the southeast, where the natives were fortunately friendly. As the first of modern Europeans to reach the waters of the Niger, he reached Segou on the River Niger on 20 July 1796, where he was at last able to confirm that the river flowed towards the east. Travelling northeast along the Niger he reached the village of Silla on 29 July where he decided to make his way back. He reached Kamalia in August and had to wait out the rainy season until April 1797 to arrive back at Pisania on 10 June 1797. Warmly received at London in December 1797, both the public and the African Association were greatly satisfied by his incredible exploit, and the Royal Society gave him their warmest approbation. Park spent the next year writing his immensely popular 'Travels into the interior of Africa', which appeared in 1799.

His second expedition to the same regions started in 1805 but ended in disaster in 1806: Park died in April 1806 by drowning during a native attack.

This Dutch translation is by A. van den Ende; his preface is dated Haarlem, 9 March 1801. The geographical treatise by James Rennell, added as an Appendix to Park's account of his voyage, had already been separately published in Dutch in Haarlem in 1800 under the title Reize en ontdekkingen in de binnenlanden van Africa, gedaan door (Daniel) Houghton en Mungo Park. The first map shows the West Africa regions of Park's expedition in present Senegal, Mali and Guinee Bissau; the second large map, 70 x 40 cm.

  • Binding Condition: Very good
  • Overall Condition: Very good
  • Size: 226mm x 144mm
  • Sold By: Booktown Africana
  • Contact Person: Chris Shelton
  • Country: South Africa
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 0685615292
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Internet banking transfer (EFT), PAYPAL. Regret no Credit Card facility.
  • Trade Associations: AA Approved


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