Africa

Madagascar – I.S. Lauretij Published by Cornelis Claesz, Petrus Bertius, Barent Langenes, – engraved by Benjamin Wright – c1600

A very rare and early state of this classic miniature map of the island of Madagascar. Plates engraved by Benjamin Wright are scarce and it is particularly interesting to see his engraved signature to the bottom left, inside the map area. Printed map area 12.5cm by 8.8cm, strong black image, very good condition, some mild age marks in the margin, printed area clean. Latin text on reverse. Uncoloured as it should be. Text in Latin on reverse.

Madagascar here called I. S Laurentij .. Island of Saint Lawrence, and early European naming. The orientation of the map is with East to the top. Very finely engraved with super topographical detail and. The numerous offshore islands and reefs clearly displayed.

Wright originally worked in London and then found employment on the continent. While in Amsterdam he worked for Cornelis Claesz on new plates for Caert-thresoor effectively a joint venture with Middleburg printer Barent Langenes; Java, Madagascar (this one), St Helena and Sumatra. The first printing was in 1598. The text was edited by Petrus Bertius and Jacobus Viverius.

Accepted authority on Miniature Antique Maps, Geoffrey King writes about this history. His text on the subject cross refers several pages and in its entirety is confusing and possibly contradictory. Our conclusion is to reference this important map as Wright/ Claesz/ Langenes/ Bertius c1600.

Price $160.00 unframed

Early map of Madagascar – Benjamin Wright signature in plate.

$160.00

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Fine Photograph – Dr David Livingstone. J. G. Tunny, Photographer, Edinburgh Circa 1870’s.

Distinguished African Missionary and Explorer, Dr David Livingstone died in 1871. This photograph likely taken just before his final African adventure. He left for Zanzibar in 1866, part of his objective to find the source of the Nile, believing it to be further south than proposed by Burton and Speke. It was in 1870 that Stanley found him with that now famous introduction “Livingstone I presume?”.

The photographer James Good Tunny (1820-1887) was highly regarded and in business for many years. This image was reproduced likely to commemorate news of the death of Livingstone as it references 13 Maitland Street, Edinburgh and 11 Salisbury Place … the latter being Tunny’s second studio and home from 1871 to 1886.

A very good image in carte de visite style, a trifle marked, otherwise a fine albumen print.

Important photograph of the esteemed African Explorer, Dr David Livingstone, possibly commemorative.

$80.00

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Modern Egypt [1877-1907] – Evelyn Baring – the Earl Cromer – 2 Volumes First Editions 1908

First edition published by Macmillan, London in 1908. Two thick volumes, 595 pages and 600 pages, folding map at rear of Anglo-Soudan, frontispiece portrait of the author. Covers in very good condition, some light foxing at the front (because of the frontispiece tissue guard) and the map otherwise very clean throughout. Very good copies. Total weight 2.5 kgs

Ismail Pasha had borrowed heavily for the Suez Canal. Too much, and the debt was based on the cotton crop. Prices of cotton had been high during the American Civil War, but when this was over the cotton price collapsed. Egypt was effectively bankrupt by 1876. By agreement the French and the British too charge of Egypt’s financial affairs.

Evelyn Baring, 1st Earl Comer was appointed the British Controller General and took the lead hand. After the Ahmed Urabi Revolt the British effectively absorbed Egypt into the Empire and Cromer became Consul General. Lord Dufferin conducted an investigation and prepared and influential report. In May 1882 a skirmish broke out and massacres took place in Alexandria, panic spread through Egypt, Alexandria was bombarded, abandoned and burnt. Baring continues with his history, incorporating the Sudan and the exploits of Gordan. Given his position and access to all documents relating to Egyptian affairs both in Egypt and London no more comprehensive account could have been written.

Cromer in charge Egypt 1877-1907

$90.00

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Sport in Many Lands (Europe, Asia, Africa and America) by H.A. Leveson known as “Old Shakarry”

“Old Shekarry” was Major Henry Astbury Leveson and he was one of the great 19th Century traveller hunters. He went everywhere and had a shot at everything. His recollections of the Man Eating Bengal Tiger do add a little balance.

Published posthumously as a sort of compilation of his other works on a grander scale. Published by Warne, London and New York in 1890. Royal octavo, 597 pages with towards 200 illustrations. Delightful decorative covers – all in very good condition. A beauty really.

We start with a special memoir on Leveson by H.F. which reassures one that here was a man who lead a full life, with a distinguished military career to back up his private interests.

The book proper starts at home with Her Majesty’s Buckhounds and the chasing of the red deer. Off to Bavaria, the Alps and the Chamois. Wild Fowl shooting and the marsh lands of the Somme .. (what a different place they were to become). The exotic and hog hunting in India … Bears, Tigers and Leopards before the formidable yet vulnerable Elephant,. Up in the Himalaya and some interesting travel notes before more shooting. Into the Middle East and the sad markets in wives and slaves. The hard life of the Bedouins around the Suez and blasting Hyena. South Africa and the “bok” in all its forms and, sadly, the quagga (they have all gone). After the challenge of the Lion we move up to Abyssinia and reflections on native customs. A different part of the world the North American “Rockies” and a narrow escape from a grizzly bear … into the prairies and the mode of hunting adopted by the Red Indians. A skirmish with the Red Indians gives the buffalo a chance!

Old Shakarry from a different era – travel and hunting – in Many Lands

$160.00

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Tropical Africa – Henry Drummond – First Ed 1888

Published by Hodder and Stoughton London 1888, a first edition.

Octavo, 228 pages, bound in the original red cloth with coated black end papers. Gilt lettering to spine and an gilt insect stamped on the front board. Illustrated with 4 excellent coloured folding maps, all in fine condition, as well as several wood engravings. Covers a trifle aged internally very clean a very good copy

Scottish born Henry Drummond (1851-1897) was educated at Edinburgh University. He became a lecturer in Natural Science at the Free Church College. In 1880 he Became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, his proposers included Lord Kelvin and Archibald Geikie. In 1883 he was invited by the African Lakes Company to conduct an expedition and study in Central Africa. From that effort this book was published in 1888.

Contents include chapters on the River Zambesi and Shire; Lakes Shirwa and Nyassa; the country and people of Central Africa; travelling on the Nyassa-Tanganyika Plateau; a study of Africa insects, geology and some political commentary. A most useful and interesting digest.

The four excellent maps include the Author’s route; a Slave Trade map (sadly there was a lot of it); a Geological sketch map and a Political Map showing European claims compared with Agreements … surprisingly different.

$80.00

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The Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society (Hannibal’s Route over the Alps and African Exploration ) – October 1886.

A complete issue in original blue wrappers pages 609 – 680, a complete monthly issue with two large folding maps at rear.

Includes an important article reading the route Hannibal took over the Alps, always a matter subject to academic argument.

Also includes important African exploration … the Congo by Colonel Francis de Winton; Exploration of the Tributaries of the Congo between Leopoldville and Stanley Falls George Grenfell and the Last German Expedition of 1884-1886.

Armed with the newest geographical information from contemporary expeditions into the Alps, Freshfield presents theories and brings clarity for historians and geographers into historic events which have plagued mankind since the time of Polybius and Livy. A most captivating report examining the perplexing controversy of Hannibal’s passage over the Alps, and the victories he achieved in the name of Carthage. Accompanied by an exceptional fold-out colour map, this mountaineering report is one of the earliest reports that takes into account the mysteries of the Alps, and its treacherous passes, with regards to Hannibal’s daring.

Hannibal, (247 B.C. – 182 B.C.), was a Carthaginian General, an implacable and formidable enemy of Rome. Although knowledge of him is based primarily on the reports of his enemies, Hannibal appears to have been both just and merciful. He is renowned for his tactical genius. With a relatively small army of select troops, Hannibal set out to invade Italy by the little-known overland route. He fought his way over the Pyrenees and reached the Rhône River before the Romans could block his crossing, moved up the valley to avoid their army, and crossed the Alps. This crossing of the Alps, with elephants and a full baggage train, is one of the remarkable feats of military history. Which pass he used is unknown; some scholars believe it was the Mont Genèvre or the Little St. Bernard.

$90.00

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Madagascar – I.S. Lauretij Published by Cornelis Claesz, Petrus Bertius, Barent Langenes, – engraved by Benjamin Wright – c1600

Fine Photograph – Dr David Livingstone. J. G. Tunny, Photographer, Edinburgh Circa 1870’s.

Modern Egypt [1877-1907] – Evelyn Baring – the Earl Cromer – 2 Volumes First Editions 1908

Sport in Many Lands (Europe, Asia, Africa and America) by H.A. Leveson known as “Old Shakarry”

Tropical Africa – Henry Drummond – First Ed 1888

The Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society (Hannibal’s Route over the Alps and African Exploration ) – October 1886.

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