The Uganda Protectorate

London: Hutchinson, 1902 . First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 10.5" by 8.5". Not Stated. A signed presentation copy of the first edition of Sir Harry H. Johnston's two volume study of the history and people of Uganda. To the recto of each frontispiece is the presentation inscription 'E. Irby From H. J.'. E. Irby is likely a relation of Johnston's wife; in 1896 Johnston married the Hon. Winifred Mary Irby, daughter of Florance George Henry Irby, fifth Baron Boston.Illustrated with forty-eight full colour plates, and nine folding maps. Collated, complete.In this work, Johnston explores the Physical Geography, Botany, Zoology, Anthropology, Languages and History of areas of East Central Africa, which was then under British colonial rule.Written by Harry Johnston, a noted British explorer and botanist who spent years travelling widely across Africa. He spoke many African languages, and published forty works on Africa during his career. His works were one of the key players of the 'Scramble for Africa' at the end of the nineteenth century.With the bookplate of David W. Phillipson, a Cambridge University fellow of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences and Professor of African Archaeology, to the front pastedowns. Below his bookplates appear the inscription of Major A. G. Ramsay, with Ramsay's inscription to the volume I half title also. In the publisher's original cloth bindings. Bumping to back strip heads and tails, otherwise externally very smart. Light rubbing to joints. Hinges strained, with front hinges of each volume a touch tender. Bookplates and contemporary inscriptions to front pastedowns. Further inscriptions to volume I half title, and author's presentation inscriptions to recto of frontispieces. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Very Good