A Walk Across Africa

£7,500 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

rare presentation copy from the author to his daughter Rare inscribed copy of Grant's important Nile account. Inscribed 'To my dear little good / "Mary Augusta" with her / father's fondest love / 1st of May 1873 / J. A. Grant'. One of the scarcest Nile accounts by one of the forgotten greats of African exploration. Grant's account of the illness which prevented him from accompanying Speke to where the White Nile meets Lake Victoria is now considered the first recorded description of Mycobacterium ulcerans infection (Buruli ulcer). 'A monumental work of exploration, this represents Grant's experiences travelling with John Hanning Speke from Zanzibar to the source of the Nile at Lake Victoria, naming Ripon Falls, then trekking down river to the Mediterranean Sea. There are numerous descriptions of the terrain and people, with sporting incidents throughout...' (Czech). First edition; 8vo (23 x 15 cm); inscribed by Grant to his daughter to half-title, large folding map hand-coloured in outline in pocket at end a little toned, unobtrusive remains of tape to prelims, later annotations to p.345; original green publisher's cloth, gilt vignette of a tribesman with spear and shield to upper board, gilt lettering to spine, joints professionally repaired, a couple discreet marks to cloth, a very good copy; xviii, 452, 33 pp. Czech p.111; Embacher p.131; Howgego IV, S54.

• Binding: Hardcover

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.