The Congo and the Founding of Its Free State : a Story of Work and Exploration

New York: Harper & Brothers, 1885. First edition. Hardcover. Very good. Octavo. 2 volumes. xxvii, (1), 528; x, 483, (1)pp. Index. Plus 44 unnumbered woodcut plates and at rear of Vol. 2, a 12pp. publisher's catalog. Pictorial green cloth stamped in brown, red, blue and gilt. Two large color folding maps are housed in a rear pocket of each volume (maps have minor, age related, separations at creases, but without any losses). In addition to the 44 plates there are a total of 76 text woodcuts, including some smaller maps. Both covers with light soiling from handling and light shelfwear at bottom edges. Both title pages have faintly embossed round library stamps and library rubber stamps on versos. Title page of Volume 1 separated. Library donation bookplates on front pastedowns, library pockets pasted down at rear, and library call letters are inked in white at the foot of each volume.

Contents: Vol. 1. Previous history of the Congo ; The political history of Congo-land ; The sequel to the book, "Through the dark continent" ; The African International Association ; En route to the Congo ; Banana Point ; Up the "mighty" Congo ; Up the Congo: from Boma to Vivi ; The founding of Vivi: a story of work ; Vivi to Isangila: a reconnaissance ; Vivi to Isangila: road-making, a curious chapter ; Vivi to Isangila ; Between the Cataract Regions: to Manyanga ; Fever at Manyanga ; A reconnaissance to Stanley Pool ; Ngalyema of Ntamo ; Settlement at Stanley Pool ; The founding of Léopoldville ; Up the Congo to Lake Léopold II ; Discovery of Lake Léopold II ; Return to Europe ; Condition of affairs on the Congo ; To Stanley Pool ; To Bolobo -- Vol. 2. To the Black River ; From the Black River to Stanley Pool and back to Equator Station ; To the Aruwimi or Biyerré ; Up the Biyerré ; To Stanley Falls ; Down the Congo to Stanley Pool ; Return to Vivi ; To Ostend ; Europeans in Africa ; Climate ; The kernel of the argument ; The Berlin Conference. (OCLC).