GILES, Ernest (1847-1897). Geographic Travels in central Australia from 1872 to 1874, introduction by Ferdinand von Mueller, Melbourne: printed for the Author by McCarron, Bird & Co., 1875. 8° (216 x 140mm). Half title, folding lithographed map. (Light soiling to foremargin of title.) Contemporary brown cloth, blocked in gilt and blind (light soiling, particularly to spine, extremities bumped). Provenance: Charles French (1840-1933, presentation inscription 'A. R. Wallace Esqr. With best compliments and the kind regards of C. French. Melbourne 1876.'); Alfred Russell Wallace (1823-1913, inscription). FIRST EDITION. 'To encounter the immediacy of Giles's own words one has to seek out the colonial publications which contain narratives of his earlier expeditions. The best known of these is [the present work] ... published ... under the patronage of Ferdinand von Mueller to help Giles raise capital for further expeditions. The Melbourne volume was published mainly for presentation to those who supported his exploratory work and many copies are inscribed by von Mueller.' (Wantrup p.263). The present example is also inscribed, but by Charles French (entomologist, orchidologist and naturalist) to Alfred Russell Wallace, the great naturalist and evolutionist. Ferguson V.9912; Wantrup 203. With 4 other books of related interest, all printed in Sweden, and including Carl Erik Rahm's Minnen Fran Australien af en Svesnk Sjöman (Stockholm, 1880) and Theodor Fischer's Vagabondif i Australien (Stockholm, 1879). (5)