The first appearance in book form of any account of Livingstone's travels in Africa

Rare. The first appearance in book form of any account of Livingstone's travels in Africa (the preface is dated January, 1857, and his Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa did not appear until November of that year).

The preface states that 'in giving to the world the first authentic narrative of the important explorations of the Rev. Dr. Livingstone, the publishers have to acknowledge their obligations to the spirited conductors of the British Banner, in whose columns, in detached portions, this remarkable history first appeared. The interest awakened by the return of the Missionary wanderer to his native land, after an absence of fifteen years, is scarcely second to the anxiety manifested to obtain information as to the actual discoveries which have been made.' It claims the map was revised by Livingstone himself (despite the Kalahari being described as the Lahari) and the explorer's name is spelt incorrectly throughout.

First edition. 16mo (16.2 x 10 cm.), 64 pp., wood-engraved folding map by E. Whymper; original red printed pictorial wrappers, some small loss to spine, else a very good copy.

Mendelssohn (1957) I, p.908 and Mendelssohn (1979) III, p.430.