Explorations & Adventures in Equatorial Africa; With accounts of the manners and customs of the people, and of the chace of the Gorilla, Crocodile, Leopard, Elephant, Hippopotamus and other animals

London : John Murray, 1861. First edition. Cloth. Very Good. 9" by 6". None. A fascinating first edition of this important work by the anthropologist and traveller Paul Belloni du Chaillu. He became famous in the 1860s as the first modern outsider to confirm the existence of gorillas - introducing a scientific appraisal of the species into Western culture through this very book, the frontispiece of which contains the first ever depiction of the Gorilla by a Westerner. This accompanies over 70 other illustrations and plates, alongside a folding map of 'Western Equatorial Africa' (collated complete). This copy has been carefully rebound, probably around 1950, with the original decorative black cloth neatly mounted on the front board. Includes several additions by an attentive rebinder, most notably a bound in photo of the author with his authentic signature, mounted on the lower margin, reading 'Yours Very Sincerely, P. B. Chaillu', and his obituary, mounted on the front pastedown. In a full cloth binding. Externally, generally smart with a few marks and minor shelfwear only. Hinges have been strengthened with new endpapers. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean with just a few scattered spots, most numerous to the first few original pages. Map has several large closed tears but no loss. Neat ink inscription and blind stamp to front free end paper. Very Good