(African History; 3 volume Set; 8 folding maps - Cartography): The History and Description of Africa ... Written By Al-Hassan Ibn-Mohammed Al-Wezaz Al-Fasi...Better Known as Leo Africanus...in Three Volumes

London: The Hakluyt Society (4, Lincoln's Inn Fields), 1896. Mostly uncut, unused, 3 volumes ([cxi]1-224, 225-698, 699-1119; last volume includes index). Covers slightly faded, spotted and rubbed, with a few edge scuffs. Embossed cloth covers with gilt emblem present. Bindings tight; hinges sound.. All 8 folding (mostly colored lithographed; on 4 sheets) maps present: Northern Africa, Lower Egypt, Cairo, Barbary, Hea and Marocco, The Road from Fez to the Upper Ziz, Northern Fez, Pory's Map of Africa (reduced). Leo Africanus (Giovanni Leone, Joannes Medices, Eliberitances) was born in Granada, and studied with Giovanni Battista Ramusio. This scarce English Hakluyt edition is based on John Pory's translation (1600) of Ramusio's text (1550). This is a major piece of black history, cartography, and geography. The most complete reference work on Leo Africanus to date is probably Rauchengerger's "Johannes Leo der Afrikaner..." , but there is also a great deal of on-line information at www.leoafricanus.com. In spite of the cosmetics of the boards, the interior is in very good condition (occasional brown spots, mild foxing), and this would be a nice set for the interested collector or scholar. INCLUDED is a contemporary newspaper clipping noting the jubilee of the founding of the Hakluyt Society. The 3 volumes here are discussed in the introductory paragraph (penned notation says "Times, Oct 16 - 96"). . First Edition. Cloth. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.