How I Found Livingstone; Travels, Adventures, and Discoveries in Central Africa

£1,250.00

How I Found Livingstone; Travels, Adventures, and Discoveries in Central Africa

Name: How I Found Livingstone; Travels, Adventures, and Discoveries in Central Africa
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5113
Price: 1250.00 GBP
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How I Found Livingstone; Travels, Adventures, and Discoveries in Central Africa; Including Four Months Residence with Dr. Livingstone, Henry M. Stanley — First Edition

Publication: London, Sampson Low, Marston, Low, and Searle, 1872

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xxiii, 736.

Condition Report: Very Good. The book is tightly bound in a handsome, contemporary half morocco over dark blue morocco-grained cloth boards. The binding remains remarkably robust and presents elegantly, with only light wear to the extremities, some minor rubbing to the leather corners, and slight shelf-wear to the board edges. The gilt ruling and spine lettering are notably bright and unoxidised. Internally, the text block is firm and square. The vibrant shell-marbled endpapers and matching marbled page edges have retained their rich colouration well. The pages are generally clean, though some scattered foxing and minor age-toning are present, primarily affecting the preliminary and final leaves, which is standard for this paper stock. The photographic Woodburytype frontispiece is securely mounted, complete with its tissue guard, displaying only minor marginal spotting that does not intrude upon the portrait. Two pressed clovers have been loosely laid in. Overall, a very attractive and well-preserved copy of a heavy volume that is often found heavily worn or re-backed.

Catalogue Note: First edition of Stanley's monumental narrative. This copy features the iconic mounted Woodburytype photographic frontispiece of Stanley, produced by The London Stereoscopic Company, bearing his facsimile signature, along with numerous full-page and in-text engraved illustrations.

While many copies are encountered in the publisher's original pictorial cloth (which is famously prone to heavy wear and structural failure due to the sheer size and weight of the text block), this copy was durably and attractively bound in a contemporary half morocco. True UK first editions of this landmark work are increasingly scarce on the open market, particularly in tight, well-preserved bindings of the period.

A quintessential classic of African exploration, How I Found Livingstone chronicles Henry Morton Stanley's arduous 1871 expedition into the heart of Central Africa. Commissioned by the New York Herald to locate the missing Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone, Stanley’s treacherous, disease-ridden journey culminated in their legendary meeting in Ujiji. This vivid, embellished narrative not only captivated Victorian readers but forever cemented Stanley's reputation in the annals of discovery.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Henry M. Stanley

Book Publisher: Sampson Low, Marston, Low, and Searle

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Non-Fiction

Genre: Travel, Exploration & Adventure

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 759

Book Publication Year: 1872

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Half Morocco

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.