The Albert Nyanza, Great Basin of the Nile and Explorations of the Nile Sources

2 volumes. VERY SCARCE EARLY FIRST EDITION 1866.

"An early issue, with the incorrect plate list in volume II

calling for two maps at end of the volume that are at the

front of volume I; volume I includes an additional plate

opposite page 351, not called for in list of plates."

Publishers green covers with gilt bordered vignette.

Gilt titles with gilt vignette on spine.

Volume I.

xxx, [1], 395 pages.

Frontispiece portraits.

7 full-page plates + 15 in-text illustrations.

1 full-page map.

1 large fold-out map [53 x 34.5 cm].

Volume II.

ix, [1], 384 pages.

Chromolithograph frontispiece [some spotting].

6 full-page plates + 5 in-text illustrations over four pages.

"The great adventurer, Baker, after various adventures in Ceylon

and the area around the Black Sea, went to Africa and embarked

on his greatest adventure, namely to discover the source of the Nile.

Having met up with Speke and Grant and exchanging valuable information

with them, he eventually discovered the third great Nile lake, the Albert N'Yanza,

but only after most of his men had deserted him and he had been forced to rely

on the help of the slave trader Ibrahim and capricious local ruler, Kamrasi.

One of the great travel narratives", [Hilmy I, 49]. 

"An oft-reprinted work describing the great explorer's

discovery of Lake Albert as the source of the White Nile.

As with all of Baker's books, there is considerable big game

hunting adventure.  Near the River Sobat, he hunted buffalo

and lost a member of his party to one. In Latooka country,

he hunted elephant, which, in turn, pursued him. Baker also

describes his muzzle-loading rifle which fired a half-pound shell!

Nicknames "Jenna el Mootfah" (child of the cannon), the rifle's

recoil even bothered the intrepid Baker. There are additional hunts

for antelope, hippopotamus, and elephant throughout"

(Czech, An Annotated Bibliography of African

Big Game Hunting Books, 1785-1950, p.10).

Recorded shipping weight 2500g.

Shipped and insured by recorded delivery.