5 - [AFRICA]. CAMERON, Verney Lovett. Across Africa: A Journey from Zanzibar to Benguela.

[AFRICA]. CAMERON, Verney Lovett. Across Africa: A Journey from Zanzibar to Benguela. Paris, Hachette et Cie, 1878. In-8 (23 x 15.5 cm), half-shagreen, decorated spine, gilt edges. 559 pp., numerous black-and-white illustrations in the text and separate plates. Rare foxing. First edition of the French translation of *Across Africa* (1877). In 1873, Verney Lovett Cameron (1844–1894) was commissioned by the Royal Geographical Society to join David Livingstone and assist him (no news had been received from Livingstone since his meeting with Stanley on March 19, 1872). However, shortly after setting out, he encountered Livingstone’s caravan carrying his remains (Livingstone had died on May 1, 1872). He then decided to continue his expedition, arriving at Ujiji near Lake Tanganyika, where he found Livingstone’s belongings. He then explored the region, discovered Nyangwe, followed the course of the Congo River, and reached the Atlantic Ocean on November 28, 1875, thus becoming the first European to have crossed Africa from east to west. Numerous black-and-white illustrations in the text. A frontispiece portrait beneath a serpent and 5 plates (4 facsimiles on tinted backgrounds, including 3 double-page spreads; one large fold-out map) A fine, period-bound copy.