Bruce, James | Travels to Discover the Source of the Nile

Bruce, James

Travels to discover the Source of the Nile. Edinburgh & London: J. Ruthven for G. G. J. and J. Robinson, 1790 [with] and additional volume of Bruce's Biography 

4to (300 x 240 mm). 6 vols. Half titles in vols. I-IV, engraved title vignettes in all. Vol. I with illustrated header on the dedication to the King. Vol. VI with frontis portrait of Bruce. 75 full page plates throughout, with 5 fold-out maps. In calf-backed marble boards with gilt compartments on spines, titles stamped in gilt on red box. Spines with five raised bands; early ownership in ink on title page of each volume, early bookplate on upper pastedowns, early manuscript ink annotation on the foot of p. 724 in vol. III, early edge repair on p. 157 in vol. vol. V.

First edition. James Bruce arrived in Egypt in 1768 accompanied by the Italian artist Luigi Balugani. They spent five years in Upper Egypt, Abyssinia, and in the exploration of the Nile. With the exception of the French surgeon Poncet, no European had visited Abyssinia in over 150 years, so Bruce's account was of unique importance in providing valuable information on the region to Europeans. The plates, based on his own and Balugani's drawings, include maps, botanical and zoological specimens, antiquities, artifacts and plans of monuments.

REFERENCES:

Blackmer 221; Gay 44; Hilmy I, p.91; Nissen ZBI 617