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Africa

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  • Travels Researches and Missionary Labors During Eighteen Years’ Residence in Eastern Africa – Together with Journeys to Jagga, Usambara, Ukambani, Shoa, Abessinia and Khartum; and a Coasting Voyage from Mombaz to Cape Delgado. – J.L. Krapf – 1860

    With and appendix by noted geographer and cartographer Ernest George Ravenstein (1834-1913) … the snow-capped mountains of Eastern Africa; the sources of the Nile; the languages and literature of Abessinia and Eastern Africa, etc and a concise account of geographical researches in Eastern Africa up to the discovery of the Uyenyesi by Dr Livingstone, in September last.

    First US edition published by Ticknor Fields, Boston 1860. Octavo, xl, 484 pages with folding map and extensive bibliography of the literature and languages of Eastern Africa. bound expertly in full morocco.

    Johann Ludwig Krapf (1810-1881) a German born missionary who carried out much fundamental exploration in East Africa often with Johannes Rebmann. They were the first Europeans to see Mount Kenya and the snow there and on Mt Kilimanjaro. He first arrived in Ethiopia in 1836 and became heavily involved in linguistics including some languages no longer spoken. Later in Kenya he wrote the first dictionary and grammar of the Swahili language.

    So important were the travels around the mountains and the reporting of the snow clad peaks and the prospects for the source of the Nile that Krapf’s record spurred the London Royal Geographical Society to fund the Burke and Speake expedition in an attempt to settle matters once and for all.

    Krapf a cornerstone account that inspired the Burke Speake expedition to confirm the source of the Nile.

    $280.00

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  • Madagascar – I.S. Lauretij  Published by Cornelis Claesz, Petrus Bertius, Barent Langenes,  – engraved by Benjamin Wright – c1600

    Madagascar – I.S. Lauretij Published by Cornelis Claesz, Petrus Bertius, Barent Langenes, – engraved by Benjamin Wright – c1600

    A very rare and early state of this classic miniature map of the island of Madagascar. Plates engraved by Benjamin Wright are scarce and it is particularly interesting to see his engraved signature to the bottom left, inside the map area. Printed map area 12.5cm by 8.8cm, strong black image, very good condition, some mild age marks in the margin, printed area clean. Latin text on reverse. Uncoloured as it should be. Text in Latin on reverse.

    Madagascar here called I. S Laurentij .. Island of Saint Lawrence, and early European naming. The orientation of the map is with East to the top. Very finely engraved with super topographical detail and. The numerous offshore islands and reefs clearly displayed.

    Wright originally worked in London and then found employment on the continent. While in Amsterdam he worked for Cornelis Claesz on new plates for Caert-thresoor effectively a joint venture with Middleburg printer Barent Langenes; Java, Madagascar (this one), St Helena and Sumatra. The first printing was in 1598. The text was edited by Petrus Bertius and Jacobus Viverius.

    Accepted authority on Miniature Antique Maps, Geoffrey King writes about this history. His text on the subject cross refers several pages and in its entirety is confusing and possibly contradictory. Our conclusion is to reference this important map as Wright/ Claesz/ Langenes/ Bertius c1600.

    Price $160.00 unframed

    Early map of Madagascar – Benjamin Wright signature in plate.

    $160.00

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  • Map of the World “Mappmondo” –  Antonio Zatta – 1790

    Map of the World “Mappmondo” – Antonio Zatta – 1790

    An unusual copper engraved map of the world in two hemispheres by Antonio Zatta published in Venice in 1790.

    Map dimensions … 26cm by 18cm to the plate mark, 28.5cm by 22.5cm to the edge. Fold marks as issued, page edges slightly askew.

    For the date, post Cook, the depiction of Australia is very strange. Fictitious lines connect Western Australia with the south coast of Tasmania and, from there north east and out to the Solomon Islands and back around to New Guinea. The Gulf of Carpentaria is connect to New Guinea. Australia is named N Olanda. Other curiosities include a strangely drawn Japan and an unnamed Company’s Land peeps out from the extreme north east, for those that are familiar with this curiosity.

    The map appears at first rather basic but on closer inspection one can see topographical features, major mountain ranges are depicted and a number of the worlds major river systems. Uncoloured as it should be. Showing some age but a good honest map of some scarcity and peculiarity.

    Little is known about Antonio Zatta (1757-1797). Even his year of birth and death, usually quoted as above are challenged in some sources which suggest 1722-1804 … maybe the shorter period reflects his map making activity. We can see that this map is by him as his signature appears in the engraving bottom right … we cannot help feel the plate is based on another map, of smaller scale, usually attributed to Giovanni Rizzi Zannoni, also active in Venice during the period.

    Price $290.00 unframed

    Distinctive and Scarce 18th Century World Map with Curiosity

    $290.00

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  • Systemes Geographiques de Ptoloemee, de Strabon et d’Eratosthene – Malte Brun c1826

    Systemes Geographiques de Ptoloemee, de Strabon et d’Eratosthene – Malte Brun c1826

    Original engraved map from Malte Brun’s Atlas of the Ancient Greek geographers Ptolemy, Strabo and Eratosthenes. The then known World.

    32cm by 24cm partially coloured in outline. A good example on strong wove paper, the odd mark around the bottom border, generally clean and bright.

    Conrad Malte Brun (1755-1826) a major Danish born cartographer who worked out of France during his professional life. This example was drawn by Bovinel Giraldon and engrave by Jean Baptiste Marie Chamouin, individuals who worked for Malte Brun early in the 19th Century. After his death his son went on publishing the maps for a number of years making the precise year in which the map was made difficult to determine.

    The Ptolemy map takes pride of place, being regarded as more accurate and informative. We particularly like the naming of Sri Lanka as Taprobana a matter that has been disputed in some cartographic quarters.

    The island of Thule appears on the Eratosthenes map … an unsolved mystery. Some think it was Ireland or the Shetlands or an island off Norway. Unfortunately the Nazi’s spoilt the mystery somewhat by claiming it was the birthplace of their superior race.

    Price $90.00 unframed ….

    The World as it was thought to be by the Greek scholars.

    $90.00

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  • Tropical Africa – Henry Drummond – First Ed 1888

    Tropical Africa – Henry Drummond – First Ed 1888

    Published by Hodder and Stoughton London 1888, a first edition.

    Octavo, 228 pages, bound in the original red cloth with coated black end papers. Gilt lettering to spine and an gilt insect stamped on the front board. Illustrated with 4 excellent coloured folding maps, all in fine condition, as well as several wood engravings. Covers a trifle aged internally very clean a very good copy

    Scottish born Henry Drummond (1851-1897) was educated at Edinburgh University. He became a lecturer in Natural Science at the Free Church College. In 1880 he Became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, his proposers included Lord Kelvin and Archibald Geikie. In 1883 he was invited by the African Lakes Company to conduct an expedition and study in Central Africa. From that effort this book was published in 1888.

    Contents include chapters on the River Zambesi and Shire; Lakes Shirwa and Nyassa; the country and people of Central Africa; travelling on the Nyassa-Tanganyika Plateau; a study of Africa insects, geology and some political commentary. A most useful and interesting digest.

    The four excellent maps include the Author’s route; a Slave Trade map (sadly there was a lot of it); a Geological sketch map and a Political Map showing European claims compared with Agreements … surprisingly different.

    $80.00

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  • The Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society (Hannibal’s Route over the Alps and African Exploration ) – October 1886.

    The Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society (Hannibal’s Route over the Alps and African Exploration ) – October 1886.

    A complete issue in original blue wrappers pages 609 – 680, a complete monthly issue with two large folding maps at rear.

    Includes an important article reading the route Hannibal took over the Alps, always a matter subject to academic argument.

    Also includes important African exploration … the Congo by Colonel Francis de Winton; Exploration of the Tributaries of the Congo between Leopoldville and Stanley Falls George Grenfell and the Last German Expedition of 1884-1886.

    Armed with the newest geographical information from contemporary expeditions into the Alps, Freshfield presents theories and brings clarity for historians and geographers into historic events which have plagued mankind since the time of Polybius and Livy. A most captivating report examining the perplexing controversy of Hannibal’s passage over the Alps, and the victories he achieved in the name of Carthage. Accompanied by an exceptional fold-out colour map, this mountaineering report is one of the earliest reports that takes into account the mysteries of the Alps, and its treacherous passes, with regards to Hannibal’s daring.

    Hannibal, (247 B.C. – 182 B.C.), was a Carthaginian General, an implacable and formidable enemy of Rome. Although knowledge of him is based primarily on the reports of his enemies, Hannibal appears to have been both just and merciful. He is renowned for his tactical genius. With a relatively small army of select troops, Hannibal set out to invade Italy by the little-known overland route. He fought his way over the Pyrenees and reached the Rhône River before the Romans could block his crossing, moved up the valley to avoid their army, and crossed the Alps. This crossing of the Alps, with elephants and a full baggage train, is one of the remarkable feats of military history. Which pass he used is unknown; some scholars believe it was the Mont Genèvre or the Little St. Bernard.

    $90.00

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