Description

Africa.- Allen (Capt. William) and T.R.H.Thomson. A Narrative of the Expedition...to the River Niger, in 1841, 2 vol., first edition, engraved portrait and 15 plates, one folding, 2 folding engraved maps, one hand-coloured in outline, hand-coloured cross-section, 3 wood-engraved plates and several illustrations, with loosely-inserted 2pp. manuscript notes in contemporary hand from the journal of one on board (short tear to one edge), some light foxing to plates and at beginning and ends, vol.1 lacking front free endpaper, vol.2 upper hinge broken with first few leaves loose, original blind-stamped cloth, rubbed, spines faded, 8vo, 1848.

⁂ The notes relate to time spent at the mouth of the River Nun, near Brass Town, and the possibility of trading for palm oil: "18th Augt. 1841 - Today a son of King William who lives at Brass & a son...King Boy of Brass came on board" to deliver two sheep as a present from King Boy and his brother King William. King Boy's message was that "there is plenty of oil at Brass... he is at present making Juju else he would come himself today but he wishes the ship to wait three days...as he is very desirous to talk to the Captain...". The notes continue that King Boy "would rather sell oil than men" and give details of his canoes, trade, feasts (denying that there are any human sacrifices), his son known as "Jack Fire" and that he has 120 wives and King William only 45. A great deal of the information appears in the published work at pp.170-172 although in print Boy has "one hundred and forty wives".

Lot 1

Africa.- Allen (Capt. William) and T.R.H.Thomson., A Narrative of the Expedition...to the River Niger, in 1841, 2 vol., first edition, with 2pp. Ms. from a journal of the voyage, 1848.  

Hammer Price: £180

Description

Africa.- Allen (Capt. William) and T.R.H.Thomson. A Narrative of the Expedition...to the River Niger, in 1841, 2 vol., first edition, engraved portrait and 15 plates, one folding, 2 folding engraved maps, one hand-coloured in outline, hand-coloured cross-section, 3 wood-engraved plates and several illustrations, with loosely-inserted 2pp. manuscript notes in contemporary hand from the journal of one on board (short tear to one edge), some light foxing to plates and at beginning and ends, vol.1 lacking front free endpaper, vol.2 upper hinge broken with first few leaves loose, original blind-stamped cloth, rubbed, spines faded, 8vo, 1848.

⁂ The notes relate to time spent at the mouth of the River Nun, near Brass Town, and the possibility of trading for palm oil: "18th Augt. 1841 - Today a son of King William who lives at Brass & a son...King Boy of Brass came on board" to deliver two sheep as a present from King Boy and his brother King William. King Boy's message was that "there is plenty of oil at Brass... he is at present making Juju else he would come himself today but he wishes the ship to wait three days...as he is very desirous to talk to the Captain...". The notes continue that King Boy "would rather sell oil than men" and give details of his canoes, trade, feasts (denying that there are any human sacrifices), his son known as "Jack Fire" and that he has 120 wives and King William only 45. A great deal of the information appears in the published work at pp.170-172 although in print Boy has "one hundred and forty wives".

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