Description

Africa.- Bruce (James) Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile, in the years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773, 5 vol., first edition, engraved title-vignettes and coat-of-arms at head of dedication, 3 folding engraved maps, 58 engraved plates (most of natural history but including 3 engraved battle plans, each with explanatory leaf of text), 4 letterpress leaves of Ethiopian dialects between pp.400 and 401 in vol.1, list of plates at end of vol.5, lacking all half-titles and final blank in vol.2, water-staining to some upper margins affecting a few plates, some foxing (heavy to some leaves in vol.2) and browning, a2 in vol.3 with short tear to lower margin (repaired) and defective at upper margin, light offsetting from some plates, engraved Leigh bookplate, handsome contemporary russia with borders in gilt and blind, a little rubbed at edges, rebacked preserving old gilt spines (rather rubbed and darkened), [Blackmer 221; Nissen ZBI 671], 4to, Edinburgh, J.Ruthven, 1790.

⁂ Description of Bruce's search for the source of the Nile. Much of the work concerns Egypt and Abyssinia, the latter being where he found the source of the Blue Nile although this was disputed on his return to Britain.

Lot 1

Africa.- Bruce (James) Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile..., 5 vol., first edition, 3 maps and 58 plates, 1790.  

Estimate: £1,200 - 1,800

Description

Africa.- Bruce (James) Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile, in the years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, 1772, and 1773, 5 vol., first edition, engraved title-vignettes and coat-of-arms at head of dedication, 3 folding engraved maps, 58 engraved plates (most of natural history but including 3 engraved battle plans, each with explanatory leaf of text), 4 letterpress leaves of Ethiopian dialects between pp.400 and 401 in vol.1, list of plates at end of vol.5, lacking all half-titles and final blank in vol.2, water-staining to some upper margins affecting a few plates, some foxing (heavy to some leaves in vol.2) and browning, a2 in vol.3 with short tear to lower margin (repaired) and defective at upper margin, light offsetting from some plates, engraved Leigh bookplate, handsome contemporary russia with borders in gilt and blind, a little rubbed at edges, rebacked preserving old gilt spines (rather rubbed and darkened), [Blackmer 221; Nissen ZBI 671], 4to, Edinburgh, J.Ruthven, 1790.

⁂ Description of Bruce's search for the source of the Nile. Much of the work concerns Egypt and Abyssinia, the latter being where he found the source of the Blue Nile although this was disputed on his return to Britain.

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