[Item #61111] Narrative of An Expedition into the Interior of Africa, by the River Niger, in the Steam-Vessels Quorra and Alburkah, in 1832, 1833, and 1834. WEST AFRICA, MacGregor LAIRD, R. A. K. Oldfield.

Narrative of An Expedition into the Interior of Africa, by the River Niger, in the Steam-Vessels Quorra and Alburkah, in 1832, 1833, and 1834

London: Richard Bentley, 1837. First Edition. Octavo (22.5cm). Two volumes half-bound in later dark brown leather and marbled paper, top edges gilt; [xvi],451,[1]pp; [viii],447,[1]pp; 7 aquatint plates. Frontispiece from vol. I bound into vol. II. Bookplate of William F. Ross in each volume. Sound but externally rubbed and bumped, prelims and final leaves foxed, else clean: Very Good.

After Richard Lander identified the mouth of the Niger River in 1830, Macgregor Laird prepared an expedition to explore and trade along the river. He constructed two paddle steam ships, the Quorra and the Alburkah, for the purpose. The expedition was an unprofitable disaster; 39 of the 48 white members of the original crew died, largely of malaria. However, the ships proved feasible, and Lander spent the next two decades as a successful shipbuilder. Not in Abbey. HOWGEGO L7.

Price: $850.00

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