In Darkest Africa or, The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of Equatoria

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1890. First Edition, First Printing. [American]. Very Good Hardcovers. Very Good; No Dust Jacket As Issued.

Two volumes, bound in the original publishers half-morocco over marbled boards, gilt titles to the spine, marbled edges and endpapers. lettered title, author and volume in gilt to the spine with tooled decoration in the four bands.

Spine tips shelf rubbed; front lower joint of Volume 1 tender; dark 'stain' from the center top spine narrowing to the middle of the spine in volume 1. Bindings are tight and square small textblock closed tears from page 339 to 364. Text clean, light even toning. Moderate shelf handling wear. First American Edition. 8vo; 9 inches tall; 547, 540 pages with index; Two steel-engraved portrait frontispieces, three folding maps, with numerous in-text and full page illustrations.

Ref: Howgego, S60; Jeal, Tim. A Classic of 19th century African Exploration. This account of his adventures was wildly popular and published in six languages

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. Stanley's journey to Albert Nyanza became a hazardous 160-day march through 'nothing but miles and miles, endless miles of forest' that claimed the lives of over half of Stanley's men from starvation, disease, and hostility of the natives.