£ 375
Burton, Captain Sir Richard, F.
FIRST FOOTSTEPS IN EAST AFRICA or, An Exploration of Harar.
Tylston & Edwards.
1894
Memorial Edition.
In two volumes. London. 1894. Volume I: 209pp and illustrated with a map, two chromolithograph colour plates and three small drawings in the text. Volume II: 276pp and illustrated with a map and two chromolithograph colour plates and four small drawings in the text. In original pictorial black cloth gilt. First edition thus. Volume I lacks (as usual) a blank front free endpaper and the third colour plate 'The Fal' which though present in the plate list was never included in this edition. No inscriptions. Text block tight and square, hinges strong and the text block is clean and bright. Very minor clean tape repair on plate of Harar opposite title page. Small previous owner stamp mark on top of title and half title page. A near fine set.
This is Volume 6 and Volume 7 of the seven volume memorial edition which was edited by Lady Isabel Burton in honour of her husband’s work. These volumes record Burton's first expedition into Somalia, where the intention was to explore the forbidden Moslem city of Harar. At the time, no European had ever ventured into the city. Additionally, Burton was trying to collect information about the headwaters of the Nile. This was the first expedition in which Burton was joined by John Speke. Later the two men became fierce exploration rivals and critics of each others work. Despite the expedition achieving its main objective of entering Harar, Lieut. Stroyan died and Burton received his famous spear wound to his face during an attack by tribesman while camped on the beach at Berberah (Penzer, p.60-63).
     
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