Schön (Rev. James Frederick) and Samuel Crowther. Journals of...Schön and...Crowther, who, with the sanction of Her Majesty's Government, accompanied the Expedition up the Niger, in 1841, on behalf of the Church Missionary Society, first edition, double-page engraved map at beginning mounted on stub, advertisement leaf at end, with A.L.s. from Crowther dated 1882 thanking for a donation loosely inserted, modern half calf, spine gilt with red calf label, uncut and partly unopened, one or two small marks to spine, 8vo, 1842.

⁂ First account of the expedition up the Niger in 1841-42 to promote trade, develop agriculture, spread the Christian word and prevent the slave trade. It was originally proposed by the anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Fowell Buxton and led by Capt. H.D.Trotter, but despite securing some anti-slavery treaties the expedition was not a success with a large proportion of the Europeans dying. Schön was a missionary and linguist from the Church Missionary Society who was accompanied by the native-born Crowther (see lot 34). An appendix at the end of the book details Crowther's early life from being captured as a slave to his rescue by the British, his education by the C.M.S. and his conversion to Christianity. He was later ordained, established the Niger Mission and became the first African bishop.