Missions to the Niger Volumes 1 through 4

4 volumes. xii+406 pages with 8 maps (3 folding), 4 illustrations including frontispiece, appendices, bibliography and index. The Journal of Friedrich Horneman's Travels from Cairo to Murzuk in the Years 1797-98 and The Letters of Major Alexander Gordon Laing, 1824-26 With Laing's letters are included his 'Cursory remarks on the course and termination of the great river Niger', his 'Notes on Gadamis', his only surviving letter to his wife, and the newspaper report of his death; xiv+306 pages with frontispiece. The Bornu Mission 1822-25. This and the following volumes reprint most of the Narrative of Travels and Discoveries in Northern and Central Africa in the years 1822, 1823, and 1824 by Major Denham, Captain Clapperton and the late Doctor Oudney (2nd edition, 1826). This volume begins Denham's narrative. Includes previously unpublished documents relating to the mission. Each volume contains a glossary of Arabic terms; xii+309-595 pages with 7 maps (2 folding), 30 illustrations including frontispiece. Continues Denham's narrative, with additional documents; x+599-798 pages with 6 maps (3 folding), 3 illustrations including frontispiece, bibliography and index. Clapperton's narrative, with the appendix of documents translated from Arabic, and additional documents. Octavo (9 3/4" x 5 3/4") issued in blue cloth with gilt lettering to spine and gilt sailing ship Victoria to front cover. Edited by E W Bovill. Second Series, volumes 123, 126, 127 and 128. First edition.

This work consists of an edited text of Friedrich Hornesmann's journal of his travels from Cairo to Murzuk, between 1797 and 1798 together with an introduction by E W Bovill. Also Alexander Gordon Laing's mission to Timbucktu from 1824 until his death in 1826, has been built up from miscellaneous material drawn from various contemporary sources. All the more important contemporary documents, whether in Laing's hand or not, have been printed exactly as they were written, but the fragmentary material which can be drawn from less important letters and official dispatches has been turned into editorial notes which are interpolated in the text. Volume two begins with the editor's introduction in which he discusses the text and the historical background and fill in the details of the Narrative. It is followed by the first two annotated chapters of the Narrative, together with reconstructed itineraries of the various expeditions. It also includes some additional document by Denham and Oudney which throw further light on the Mission. The third volume covers the Mission's exploration of Bornu and adjoining countries, with full notes and reconstructed itineraries of the various expeditions. Volume four is devoted to Clapperton's account of his exploration of Hausa and his stay in Sokoto.

Condition:

Jacket spines sunned, some edge wear with rubbing to spine ends else a near fine set in very good to fine jacket.