In Darkest Africa; or the Quest, Rescue and Retreat of Emin, Governor of Equatoria Hardcover - 1890

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1890. First American edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 2 vol. 8vo. [3], iv-xiv, [1], 2-547, [3]; [3], iv-xvi, 540 [2] pp. Bound in original green cloth with outline of Africa embossed on the front boards in dark green and black with gilt lettering and facsimile of Stanley's signature stamped in gold, bust of Stanley in gilt and gilt lettering on each of the spines, dark brown endpapers and pastedowns. Illustrated by a steel-engraved frontispiece in volume 1 with 17 full-page illustrations, numerous smaller illustrations, large folding color map in the rear pocket, and a large folding facsimile of the Mahdi's letter demanding the surrender of Emin Pasha (with a few splits along the folds) also in rear pocket (not called for in the List of Illustrations). Volume two illustrated by a steel-engraved frontispiece with 26 additional full-page illustrations (one in color), numerous smaller illustrations, and a large color folding map and a small color folding map in the rear pocket. A detailed account of Stanley's Emin Pasha relief expedition from 1887 - 1889 which initially drew considerable acclaim from the English and American public, but was later subject to severe criticism for its cost and the conduct of many members of the expedition (see Jeal, Stanley: The Impossible Life of Africa's Greatest Explorer). An attractive copy of this set, one of the best-known works on African exploration and a classic in this field. Very Good or better with rubbing to the cloth on both volumes (a bit more to the cloth of volume 1 than volume 2), but the gilt is generally bright and clean on both volumes, rear hinges barely starting in each volume, small contemporary bookplates and ownership signatures of Frank R. Northrup (dated 12/2/90) on the front pastedown and endpaper respectively of each volume.