Egypt, Soudan and Central Africa: with explorations from Khartoum on the White Nile to the regions of the equator.

Petherick, John
Egypt, Soudan and Central Africa. With Explorations from Khartoum on the White Nile to the Regions of the Equator.
William Blackwood and Sons, First Edition 1861. 8Vo. Xii, 482 pages, 16 pp of Ads, Large folding map, 4 pp of Subscriber List of supporters for a future expedition on the Nile (see below*) includes The Earl de Grey & Ripon as a subscriber.
Inscribed Presentation Copy on the half title. "To the Right Hobble. The Earl de Grey & Ripon with the respectful compliments of the Author". De Grey was later Secretary. for India,, and for the Colonies.
"Petherick was a mining engineer, traveller and diplomat. Petherick had been a mining engineer in Wales until 1845 when he arrived in Egypt to prospect for coal on behalf of the governor, Mohammed Ali, in whose employment he remained until 1848. In 1846 Petherick reached Kahartoum and began a series of explorations to the south. From 1853 he was on the White Nile, mainly as an elephant-hunter and ivory-trader, during which time he explored the River Jur and Yalo, and a vast area of the Bahr-el-Ghazal to the west of the Nile. In 1858 he acted as British vice-consul in Khartoum, and in the following year returned to England to raise funds for further trade. He brought with him a valuable map of the Upper Nile, which was widely consulted by John Hanning Speke prior to his second journey. By prior arrangement , Petherick returned via the Nile to Khartoum…then in February 1863 proceeded south to rendezvous with Speke,…When Petherick and his wife arrived a few days late, despite having spent a year struggling overland, Speke condemned Petherick for having squandered the money he had been given by the Royal Geographical Society to provide support for his expedition and accused him of being more interested in elephant hunting and slave trading. As a result of Speke's accusations, Petherieck was removed from his post as vice-consul and returned to England". Never to fully re-establish his reputation. (Howgego P24).
A very good copy in original red stamped cloth. The boards have very minor shelf wear, spine is faded and otherwise is sound. The text block is clean, tight and unmarked except for a contemporary owner's signature. This narrative is scarce especially with the presentation inscription.

*Arrowsmith J., Back R. Adm., Barth Dr. H., Beke Dr. C.T., Campbell J., Colchester Lord, Collinson Captain R., Coutts Miss Burdett, De Grey and Ripon Earl, Devonshire Duke of, Elphinstone Major H, Hall Captain, Holland H., Hooker Sir W.J., Johnson H., McLeod W., Murchinson, Sir R., Murray J., Portlock Major, Rae De. John, Speke John, Spottiswoode W, Sykes Col W H.,…etc.