Wanderings in West Africa from Liverpool to Fernando Po

London: Tinsley Brothers, 1863 . First edition. Cloth. Very Good Indeed. 8" by 6". Not Stated. An exceptionally bright copy of the two volume first edition of Burton's account of his explorations in West Africa. The first edition of this work by British explorer and writer Sir Richard Francis Burton, who held many diplomatic posts and served as captain of the army of the East India Company. Famed for his travels and explorations around the globe, by one count Burton spoke twenty-nine languages.Much to his dismay, Burton's first consular posting landed him on a small, desolate island off the coast of West Africa named Fernando Po. He took every opportunity to leave the place, exploring the mainland and making observations on cultural traditions, health and sanitary conditions, and other aspects of life in the region.This work provides an account of his journeys into Sierra Leone and Nigeria to investigate stories of gold and gold mining, and is credited with drawing public attention to mining prospects in the region.Burton was in dispute with explorer John Hanning Speke over the source of the Nile and was infuriated by the Royal Geographical Society for choosing Speke to lead an expedition to establish this claim, which caused him to issue this work anonymously, without his name to the title page, and with his name appearing only to the back strip of this second issue binding, but not the first. However, there are only five known copies lacking Burton's name to the spines, including Burton's own personal copy.Illustrated with a folding map frontispiece to volume I, and plate illustrating the Juju sacrifice house as the frontispiece to volume II. Collated, complete.An excellent copy of the first edition of Burton's work. In the publisher's original cloth bindings. Bumping to spine head and tail, with small regions of light fading to cloth of back strips, otherwise externally excellent. Volume II hinges strained, but firmly held. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Minimal closed tear to folding map frontispiece. Very Good Indeed