The task of the Editor of these volumes has been principally one of arrangement and compression. The late lamented Mr. James Richardson left behind him a copious journal, comprised in eight small but closely-written volumes, besides a vast heap of despatches and scattered memoranda; and, at first sight, it seemed to me that it would be necessary to melt the whole down into a narrative in the third person. On attentively studying the materials before me, however, I perceived that Mr. Richardson had written in most places ...
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The task of the Editor of these volumes has been principally one of arrangement and compression. The late lamented Mr. James Richardson left behind him a copious journal, comprised in eight small but closely-written volumes, besides a vast heap of despatches and scattered memoranda; and, at first sight, it seemed to me that it would be necessary to melt the whole down into a narrative in the third person. On attentively studying the materials before me, however, I perceived that Mr. Richardson had written in most places with a view to publication; and that, had he lived, he would soon have brought what, on a cursory examination, appeared a mere chaotic mass, into a shape that would have accorded with his own idea of a book of travels. Such being the case, I thought it best-in order to leave the stamp of authenticity on this singular record of enterprise-to do little more than the author would himself have done. In the form of a diary, therefore-written sometimes with Oriental na???vet???-the reader will here find what may be called the domestic history of one of the most successful expeditions undertaken for the exploration of Central Africa. I believe it would have been possible to get up a work of more temporary interest from the same materials; but this could only have been done by sacrificing truthfulness of detail. In the present form, Mr. Richardson's journal will always remain as an authority on the geography and present condition of a large portion of the Saharan desert, hitherto unvisited, at any rate undescribed.
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Add this copy of Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in to cart. $679.43, very good condition, Sold by Rooke Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from BATH, SOMERSET, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1853 by Chapman and Hall.
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Seller's Description:
Not Stated. Very Good. The scarce first edition of British explorer James Richardson's evangelical mission to central Africa in the early 1850s. Richardson's work discusses the wildlife, climate, people, customs and politics of Central Africa during Richardson's travels. His mission, under the orders and at the expense of Her Majesty's Government, was to propagate Christianity and suppress the slave trade. Among the party of the first Europeans to cross the stony elevated plain of the Hammada, Richardson succumbed to fever and died before reaching Lake Chad. This work was posthumously published, and constructed from Richardson's notes and diaries. With each volume retaining the original half title. Collated, illustrated with a folding map frontispiece to volume I. Lacking a map to volume II. An excellent copy of this scarce first edition. Rebound in half morocco, with marbled paper covered boards. Fading to back strips, with light rubbing to joint heads and tails and raised bands. Small instance of lifting to the leather of the tail of the rear joint of volume I, not affecting joint. Boards exceptionally bright. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and generally clean, with only the odd spot, and light tide marks to fore edge of contents leaves of volume II. Very Good.
Add this copy of Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa 1850-51-2 to cart. $80.30, good condition, Sold by Yesterday's Books rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bournemouth, UNITED KINGDOM, published by Frank Cass 1970 (1853).
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Seller's Description:
2 vols (28+343 & 8+359pp), map: based on his diaries this is an account of his journey across the Sahara from Tripoli to the important kingdoms of the Sahel with the aim of abolishing the slave trade & opening up the commerce, he travels with Barth, visits & makes extensive notes on the Taregs, Hausa, Zinder, Bornou, Kanou, etc. and dies just outside Kuka; hardbacks, spines & boards v sl rubbed, both volumes almost vg, a heavy set that may attract extra postage, the 2 vols.
Add this copy of Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in to cart. $56.62, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by BiblioBazaar.
Add this copy of Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in to cart. $60.08, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2007 by BiblioBazaar.
Add this copy of Narrative of a Mission to Central Africa Performed in to cart. $207.00, good condition, Sold by McBlain Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hamden, CT, UNITED STATES, published 1853 by Chapman & Hall.
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Seller's Description:
Good. 2 vols. folding map, xxviii, 343, viii, 359p. Original publisher's brown cloth. 20 cm. Ex lib. (Boston College). Library markings include internal stampings, bookplates, etc., as well as a library stamp on page edge, and a large black rectangular mark toward bottom of both backstrips beneath which are remnants of an old label. Head of backstrip chipped on Vol. II. Contents sound and clean. Edited from Richardson's journals by Bayle St. John.
