VERNE (Jules). - Lot 87

VERNE (Jules). Travelers of the 19th Century. 51 drawings by Léon Benett, 57 facsimiles (based on historical documents), and maps by Matthis and Morieu. Paris: Bibliothèque d’éducation et de récréation, J. Hetzel et Cie, [1880]. — In-8, 274 x 178. Havana-colored percaline cloth binding “in the style of the Ptolemaic armillary sphere,” gilt edges (Engel). First edition illustrated with drawings by Léon Benett, several facsimiles, and 15 maps. This is the final volume of the trilogy *History of Great Journeys and Great Travelers*, dedicated to the great explorers of the 19th century. The author devoted the second chapter of the first part to “The Exploration and Colonization of Africa”: I. Peddie and Campbell in Sudan. — Richtie and Lyon in Fezzan. — Denham, Oudney, and Clapperton in Fezzan, in the land of the Tibbou. — Lake Chad and its tributaries. — Kouka and the main cities of Bornu. — The Mandara. — A raid among the Fellatahs. — Defeat of the Arabs and death of Bou-Khaloum. — The Loggoun. — Death of Toole. — En route to Kano. — Death of Dr. Oudney. — Kano. — Sockatou. — Sultan Bello. — Return to Europe. II. Clapperton’s Second Journey. — Arrival in Badagry. — The Yourriba and its capital, Ka-tunga. — Boussa. — Attempts to obtain an accurate account of Mungo Park’s death. — The Nyffé, the Gouari, and the Zegzeg: — Arrival in Kano. — Setbacks.— Death of Clapperton. — Lander’s return to the coast. — Tuckey in the Congo. — Bowdich among the Ashanti. — Mollien at the sources of the Senegal and the Gambia. — Major Gray. — Caillié in Timbuktu. — Laing at the headwaters of the Niger. — Richardet and John Lander at the mouth of the Niger. — Cailliaud and Letorzec in Egypt, Nubia, and at the Siouah Oasis. A very fine copy in its original cardboard binding, “à la sphère armillaire ptolémaïque.” 1880 AI catalog bound at the end. It comes from the collection of Éric Weissenberg (1941–2012) (see lot no. 77). Provenance: Éric Weissenberg, with bookplate (auction 10/04/2018, lot no. 137, “Extraordinary copy in mint condition”).