FIRST FOOTSTEPS IN EAST AFRICA Richard Burton Easton Press LEATHER exploration

FIRST FOOTSTEPS IN EAST AFRICA: Or An Exploration of Harar by Richard F. Burton was published by the Easton Press in 1992/2007. This is their "COLLECTOR'S EDITION".

*************************************************

The EASTON PRESS is a publisher of fine leather books covering a wide range of topics, including, autobiography, biography, children's books, fiction, history, philosophy, poetry, politics, reference, religion, science and exploration. Each Easton Press volume is bound in high quality genuine leather. Hubbed spines accented with precious 22kt gold. Printed on archival acid-neutral pages that are thread-sewn, not just glued. Page ends gilded on all three exposed sides to protect against dust. Deep tooled ornamentation into the leather and satin ribbon markers.

*********************************

FIRST FOOTSTEPS IN EAST AFRICA is a seminal work of Africana recording Burton's first expedition into Somalia. His purpose was to explore the forbidden Moslem city of Harar, a city whose walls no European had ever penetrated, as well as to gather information about the headwaters of the Nile. He traveled in the same disguise that took him to Meca, as Haji Mirza Abdullah, an Arab merchant. On this journey, Burton received the famous spear wound to his face during an attack by Somalis while encamped on the beach at Berberah.

***************************************************
-276 pages. 
-5 3/4" x 9" 
-edited by Isabel Burton
********************************

Illustrated with black and white photographs, drawings and maps.  

*********************************

THE BOOK IS IN FINE CODITION. THERE IS A PARTIAL ORIGINAL PUBLISHER'S WRAP. THERE IS SOME WEAR ON THE SIDE GILT (SEE PHOTO).

********************************

Sir Richard F. Burton was a British geographer, explorer, translator, writer, soldier, orientalist, cartographer, ethnologist, spy, linguist, poet, fencer and diplomat. He was known for his travels  and explorations within Asia, Africa and the Americas, as well as his extraordinary knowledge of languages and cultures. According to one count, he spoke twenty-nine European, Asian and African languages. FIRST FOOTSTEPS IN EAST AFRICA was published after Burton's death, and edited by his wife, Isabel Burton, enjoy.

Note: any glare is from my camera, note the book.