In Darkest Africa (2 volumes, complete)

First American Edition. Two Volume Set. The most famous explorer of his day, Stanley's fame was made by James Gordon Bennett's commission sending him to search for Livingstone. In 1886 Stanley led the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition to rescue Emin Pasha, the governor of Equatoria in southern Sudan. After immense hardship and great loss of life, Stanley met Emin in 1886, discovered the Ruwenzori Range and Lake Edward, then emerged from the interior at the end of 1889. Stanley's famous account of his expedition to relieve Emin Pasha (Eduard Schnitzer), the beleaguered governor of equatorial Sudan, contains some of his most celebrated writing, especially his account of the tortuous 450-mile passage through the dense Ituri rain forest. Stanley's dealings with Emin Pasha, who proved singularly resistant to being 'rescued', his abandonment of his own rear column and his wider motives for his mission have all come under suspicion then and since, but the book remains a classic of African exploration. Very good plus in publisher's original green cloth with black Africa blind stamped on front covers, and bright gilt titles on fronts and spines. Slight wear to the cover and spine. Bindings square and tight, some foxing to endpapers. Content fine, with text clean and bright and al photos and maps included. Very rare thus. Steel-engraved frontispiece portraits and 150 illustrations and maps, many full page. Rear pockets of both volumes contain two folding maps, loose as issued. One of the best on the market, complete. 547pp in Volume One and 540pp in Volume Two.