The Lake Regions of Central Africa by Taylor, Bayard (compiled and arranged by) - 1873

New York: Scribner, Armstrong, and Co, 1873. Hardcover. Very good. 12mo. [6], 397 pages, [7] pages of advertisements. Frontispiece illustration, folding map, and illustrated text. Brown cloth hardcover with gilt and black lined illustration and title on the front cover. Gilt title and black decorations on the spine. Previous owner illustrated bookplate of Sylvester Stephen Marvin on the front paste down. From the National Park Service:

Sylvester Stephen Marvin served in the Civil War with the 28th New York Volunteers, Company K. He was injured at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. In 1863, Marvin moved to Pittsburgh and began a successful cracker business in the name of S.S. Marvin Co., which became one of the largest and most recognizable names in baking in the United States.

Marvin earned the nickname of "The Edison of Manufacturing" for his innovations in the baking business-by 1888 the largest in the United States. He created the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) with S.S. Marvin being the chief company in this conglomeration. In 1889, his factory employed about 250 people. Thereafter, he founded the Pittsburgh Chocolate Company.

In addition to baking, Marvin was involved in a number of other interests including the Chamber of Commerce; director of the Commercial Bank; and president of the Western Pennsylvania Exposition Society. He was a benefactor of the Western Theological Seminary and also provided for retired Presbyterian ministers to live the rest of their days in relative comfort.