First Footsteps in East-Africa Or, An Exploration of Harar

Description

Memorial Edition in 2 volumes, edited by his wife Isabel Burton. Tylston and Edwards, London 1894, additional note: “printed for the Publishers at The Meccan Press London”;
Vol. I: 5 leaves (title page, frontispice), XI preface to the Memorial Edition, written by his wife Isabel Burton, XV preface to the first edition (1856), chapters I to VIII, 209 pages, 2 leaves
Vol. II: 9 leaves (including title page, frontispice), chapters VIII (continued) to X, postscript, appendices, index, 276 pages, 3 leaves

Both volumes in hardcover (black), gilt-stamped on sides and back, 21.8 cm x 14 cm

Sir Richard Francis Burton (1821–1890), the famous Victorian explorer, began his career in the Indian army in 1842. While in India he developed his linguistic talent, mastering more than forty different languages and dialects. He turned to writing books in the 1850s and, over the remaining forty years of his life, published dozens of works and more than one hundred articles. In this book, first published in 1856, Burton recounts his travels to Harar, a city in East Africa notorious for its slave trade activity. His plan was a challenging one, as it was believed that no European had been there before; upon arrival he claimed to be an agent of the British government and presented himself to the ruler of Harar. Burton was allowed to spend ten days there, and his account give a fascinating glimpse into a then unknown city and culture.