To the Gold Coast for Gold.

£3,000 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

first edition of burton's ill-fated search for African gold Account of Burton's last expedition in 1875 'made with Cameron, who was the first European to cross central Africa (1873-75), to explore the Kong Mountains and search for gold in the valley of the Ancobra River' (Casada). Through their shared interest in gold, Burton and Cameron were commissioned by James Irvine of the Guinea Coast Gold Mining Co. to survey the area for mining prospects and investigate his mining concessions. Whilst Cameron surveyed the concessions, Burton dealt with the tribal chiefs and settled any legal claims. They did indeed find gold and other precious materials, and Burton offered a recommendation for their extraction, but such findings did not provide the financial gains he had hoped as the Mining Co. was liquidated soon after in 1885. First edition; 2 vols, 8vo (19.5 x 13.5 cm); half-titles to both volumes, coloured lithograph frontispiece, 2 folding maps, 3 in text illustrations, small tear to hinge of first map; near-contemporary half blue morocco, marbled boards, spines lettered in gilt in six gilt compartments, top edges gilt, spines a touch faded, a very good set; [xiv], 354; vi, 381 pp. Penzer, pp 106-107; Casada, 65; Cardinall 790.

• Binding: Hardcover

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