David Spilman Fine Books

The Journal of a Mission to the Interior of Africa, in the Year 1805; Together With Other Documents, Official and Private, Relating to the Same Mission. To Which is Prefixed an Account of the Life of Mr. Park. [Also includes Isaaco's Journal]

Park, Mungo

London: John Murray, 1815. Near Fine. Second Edition, Revised and Corrected, with Additions. [11x9in]; [i-v], vi-xvii, 373 pp., fold out map of route from mouth of the Gambia and Niger Rivers to "Tombuctoo", several illustrations and tables in text, addenda and appendices; Quarter bound in with modern marbled paper on boards, black leather ribbed spine with gilt lettering on red leather labels, rules and devices, new dark brown stiff end papers; Negligible shelf wear to covers, edges or corners, text and map pages are age-toned at edges with some typical text offsets and bleed through, closed 1.5in at lower hinge of map and small closed tear at a top fold crease, original free end paper shows some soiling, foxing in text is minimal and light. A very good copy with a near fine binding. [Howgego II P4, Printing and the Mind of Man #253]. Item #13918

Mungo Park (1771-1806) was a Scottish country doctor and explorer of West Africa. Park was one of a group of African explorers hired by the Association for Promoting the discovery of the Interior Parts of Africa, known as the Africa Association, a British club founded in 1788. Several earlier British explorers made discoveries of the interior from the Gambian coast and river. In 1795, Park follow up on Daniel Houghton's route to press on to discover the source of the Niger river. In 1799, Park's "Travels into the Interior Districts of Africa" became the first significant publication on the interior, and was very popular and reissued in many languages. He failed to reach or find the source of the Niger River, but brought back much experience in travels in Africa and knowledge of the tribes, culture and geography.

Park's second expedition in 1805 was to continue to Timbuktu and the Niger river. While he found both, he and most of his party were killed by natives. His journal was given to Isaaco, his Mandingo guide, to send back to Britain. Publication of the letters and journal were delayed until more was know on the disappearance of Park. Isaaco's journal starts in 1810 on travel to find out the details of Park's death and bring back any items of his. Also included is a short journal by Amadi to add some details. Together, these journals and the account of the Life of Mungo Park in this book completes the story of Mungo Park.

The first edition of this book was published in mid 1815 as Volume II, with Volume I a reprint of the 1799 book. The second edition, this book, was issued later in 1815 with additional information, again as Volume II of a two volume set. Both volumes are separate and complete stand-alone books. The two volume set was well received by the public.

Price: $350.00