THE RISE OF OUR EAST AFRICAN EMPIRE (2 Volumes)

Edinburgh and London: William Blackwood & Sons, 1893

Small 4to, xix + 563pp + 32pp publishers catalogue, vi + 682pp. Hardcover binding, both volumes recased. Gilt lettering to spines, black lettering and inlaid illustrations to front boards. With frontispieces, folded maps in pockets and text, various fine monochrome plates, all collated and complete.

Frederick John Dealtry Lugard, 1st Baron Lugard GCMG CB DSO PC (1858 – 1945), known as Sir Frederick Lugard between 1901 and 1928, was a British soldier, explorer of Africa and a colonial administrator. He was Governor of Hong Kong (1907–1912), the last Governor of Southern Nigeria Protectorate (1912–1914), the first High Commissioner (1900–1906) and last Governor (1912–1914) of Northern Nigeria Protectorate and the first Governor-General of Nigeria (1914–1919).

Lugard pushed for native rule in the British colonies of Africa. He reasoned that black Africans were very different from the Europeans, although he did speculate on the admixture of Aryan or Hamitic blood arising from the advent of Islam among the Hausa and Fulani. He considered that natives should act as a sort of middle manager in colonial governance. This would avoid revolt because, he believed, the native people of Africa would be more likely to follow someone who looked like them, spoke their languages and shared their customs. (wikipedia.com)

Condition: Good. Recased volumes, but professionally done. Light rubbing to boards, minor bumps and wear to corners of boards, sunning and shelfwear to spines. Light staining to front board of vol 2. Previous owner’s bookplates to both front pastedowns. Stain to front pastedown and bookplate in vol 2, and small open tear to facing endpaper. Splitting to gutters between some pages. Overall texts, maps, plates are clean. Overall still well bound.

Reserve: $115

Estimate: $ 135-170