Details
BURTON, Richard Francis. The Lake Regions of Central Africa... London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts, 1860.
2 volumes, 8o (218 x 141 mm). Folding map and 12 chromoxylographic plates. Original brick-red cloth, covers triple-ruled in blind (some chipping to spine ends and joints of vol. II, hinges starting). Provenance: John J. Brooke (signature on title, dated 1860); J.E. Taylor (bookplate).
FIRST EDITION, SECOND ISSUE. The second issue proved to be unexpectedly popular. It is considered Burton's best writing and is also his first attack in print on Speke, his chosen companion to Central Africa. Speke was the first to return to England and the first to publish, in Blackwood's Magazine, and took credit for their 'discovery' of Lake Nyanza and the source of the White Nile. Burton countered with his denouncement of Speke's "inaccurate data and outrageous speculations" and the Royal Geographical Society printed it in full, perhaps in retaliation for Speke having turned to Blackwood's Magazine for publication and not to its own august self the sponsors of the expedition. Penzer p. 65-66; Casada 42; Spink 20.
2 volumes, 8
FIRST EDITION, SECOND ISSUE. The second issue proved to be unexpectedly popular. It is considered Burton's best writing and is also his first attack in print on Speke, his chosen companion to Central Africa. Speke was the first to return to England and the first to publish, in Blackwood's Magazine, and took credit for their 'discovery' of Lake Nyanza and the source of the White Nile. Burton countered with his denouncement of Speke's "inaccurate data and outrageous speculations" and the Royal Geographical Society printed it in full, perhaps in retaliation for Speke having turned to Blackwood's Magazine for publication and not to its own august self the sponsors of the expedition. Penzer p. 65-66; Casada 42; Spink 20.