LENZ (Oskar). - Lot 61

LENZ (Oskar). Timbuktu: A Journey Through Morocco, the Sahara, and Sudan. Paris: Librairie Hachette et Cie, 1886–1887. — 2 volumes, in-8, 235 x 153: XII, 467 pp., 2 plates; (2 ff.), 438 pp., 4 plates, 1 map. Burgundy half-chagrin, decorated ribbed spine, speckled edges (contemporary binding). French first edition, translated from the German by Pierre Lehautecourt. This text recounts the journey of Oskar Lenz (1848–1925), a German-Austrian geologist, mineralogist, and explorer, who undertook his first trans-Saharan expedition from Morocco to Senegal between 1879 and 1880, motivated by a desire to conduct geological studies of the region and search for iron deposits. Accompanied by Cristobal Benítez, he became the fourth European to reach Timbuktu, after Laing, Caillié, and Barth. He stayed there for three weeks in July. The account is divided into two parts, described by the author in his preface as follows: “The first consists of a description of my journey through Morocco, on both sides of the Atlas Mountains, to the more or less independent region of Sidi-Hécham. Attached to this is a study of the governmental, political, and social situation of the Moroccan Empire, in which the reader will likely find much new information. The second part describes my journey across the desert to Timbuktu, and from there to Senegal. In conclusion, I address several issues concerning the Trans-Saharan Railway, the ancient population of the Sahara, etc., which have been the subject of much debate in recent times.” The edition is illustrated with 52 black-and-white plates, including 6 full-page plates, 14 full-page illustrations, and 32 in-text illustrations, woodcuts based on photographs as well as the author’s own drawings. It also includes a fold-out color map showing the route traveled by Oskar Lenz. Spine faded, normal wear and tear. Foxing. Small tear with no loss to the map. Provenance: General Raoul Vaudable (1914–1991), with bookplate.