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Travels in the Timanne, Kooranko, and Soolima Countries, in Western Africa by Laing, Major Alexander Gordon - 1825

by Laing, Major Alexander Gordon

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Travels in the Timanne, Kooranko, and Soolima Countries, in Western Africa

by Laing, Major Alexander Gordon

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
London: John Murray. 1825. First Edition. Hardcover. Octavo, pp. Xii, 465. Fold-out map of Laing's route opposite full title page, 7 plates of African tribespeople. Re-bound in modern full calf binding with gilt titles. Binding and endpapers fine, scattered age spotting to text, scattered purple ink underlining in text. In 1822 Andrew Laing explored the interior of Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone Colony had been established in 1808 and was a coastal colony made up almost entirely of Freetown and its beautiful natural harbor. Laing stopped a long war in the interior of the country, opened up commerce (by convincing the Africans to abandon the red rice crops they favored for the white rice and coffee the British preferred and could sell in Europe) , and made progress in abolishing the slave trade. In today's terms, Laing explored the territories of the Temne, Koranko, and Mandigo people of central, northern, and far northeastern modern Sierra Leone. Laing won praise and promotion from the governor. Laing found the source of the Rokel River, the largest river in Sierra Leone. It flows from the high interior plateau of the Loma Mountains in the far northeast of modern Sierra Leone to the Atlantic and the harbor serving Freetown. During his explorations of the Rokel and the surrounding country, Laing came very close to finding the source of the Niger, Africa's third largest river. Although he did not actually see the source of the Niger, he was able to ascertain its approximate location. Laing intended to write this book in 1823, but was interrupted by his service in the Ashanti War 1823-1824. He wrote the first 5 chapters during breaks in his front line service. Back in London at the end of 1824, Laing finished writing, but publication was interrupted when he was ordered to Tripoli. The Africa Association and the Secretary for the Colonies decided Laing would be the perfect man to become the first European to enter the fabled city of Timbuktu and return alive. He almost made it - Laing was the first European to cross the Sahara from north to south, and he did enter Timbuktu and stay there for 38 days. He was wounded 24 times and lost his right hand along the way. He was murdered 3 days after leaving Timbuktu. His notes from the trip were lost. Laing's friend, Captain Sabine, supervised the printing and publication of this book. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 465 pages .
  • Bookseller Independent bookstores US (US)
  • Format/Binding Hardcover
  • Book Condition Used
  • Edition First Edition
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Publisher John Murray
  • Place of Publication London
  • Date Published 1825
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Travels in the Timannee, Kooranko and Soolima Countries

by LAING, MAJOR ALEXANDER GORDON

  • Used
  • near fine
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
1st Edition
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
NZ$2,523.30

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Description:
London: John Murray, 1825. Book. Near Fine. Quarter Leather. 1st Edition. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Modern quarter brown calf over marbled boards. Gilt maroon leather title label to spine. New endpapers. Binding by WILCOX. Folding map opposite title page. 7 plates of African natives. Pages 158-178 with foxing o/w a generally clean copy in great condition. Concerns early exploration in the area of Sierra Leone in West Africa..
Item Price
NZ$2,523.30