In Darkest Africa by Henry M. Stanley (RARE Six Volume Set), 1890 🌍📜🧭























































































































This is a rare and a cornerstone work of African exploration history.
The book, In Darkest Africa, is a landmark six-volume set that documents Henry M. Stanley's famed expedition to find Emin Pasha.
As a rare six-volume set from 1890, this collection is a highly sought-after artifact for collectors of exploration narratives, Victorian history, and fine bindings.
It offers a unique window into the intellectual and scientific landscape of the late 19th century and the cultural importance of African exploration in the West.
2. About the Book 📖✍️✨
In Darkest Africa is a detailed account of Henry M. Stanley's expedition through Central Africa.
The work is a collection of his personal journals, observations, and a profound record of his journey. The set contains a wealth of detail on the geography, peoples, and wildlife of the region.
The set is also described on the title page as having "one hundred and sixty-five woodcut illustrations and maps," making it a valuable pictorial record as well. It was originally published in two volumes, but this set has been meticulously rebound and divided into six smaller, more manageable volumes.
3. About the Author/Maker ✍️🏛️
Henry M. Stanley (1841-1904) was a Welsh-American journalist and explorer who became a central figure in African exploration.
His work was highly influential in the late 19th century and was a key part of the American intellectual movement. He was known for his ability to translate complex geographical and cultural details into accessible, personal, and emotionally resonant prose.
His influence extended far beyond his lifetime, shaping the piety of generations of Christians in England, the United States, and across the globe. This work is a clear example of why his legacy continues to be celebrated today as one of the most important voices of the 18th-century revival.
Stanley's legacy is rooted in his detailed documentation and his gift for storytelling. His book showcases a powerful and engaging voice, filled with dry wit and an unflappable spirit.
4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜
Published in 1890, this book is an artifact of the Victorian era and the Scramble for Africa.
This period was a time of immense geopolitical change, as European powers were competing to establish colonies across the African continent.
This book, published after the Berlin Conference of 1884, reflects the growing interest in African exploration and the desire to document and understand the continent's interior.
The book is a "time capsule" of late 19th-century scientific and social thought. It captures the spirit of an era when individual exploration was a key driver of international relations and scientific discovery.
The volume reflects the intellectual currents of the time and the application of new scientific principles in the fields of bacteriology, pathology, and surgery. It is an important record of a particular moment when medicine was being transformed by empirical evidence and a professional identity.
5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️
This book is intended for a curator of rare books, a scholar of African exploration, or a private collector of scientific literature.
It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's dual significance as a foundational historical document and a repository of scientific knowledge.
This is a perfect fit for a collection that cherishes the intimate story behind a social movement. It appeals to a collector interested in the intersection of science, history, and the art of bookmaking.
A true bibliophile would appreciate the high-quality binding and the rich intellectual history contained within its pages.
The book is an essential piece for an individual building a library that tells the story of how a nation was transformed. It is not just for display, but for a reader who is serious about understanding the lives and creative journeys of a generation of innovators.
6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️
As a rare six-volume set from 1890, this book represents a genuinely scarce, non-replicable asset class. Institutional records from this period, especially those from a state as young as California, were not printed in large quantities.
Their survival rate is low, making a well-preserved copy a genuine rarity on the market. The book is a unique window into the history of medical practice in the American West.
The book is approximately 135 years old. Its value as a scholarly document and a physical artifact makes it a strong acquisition.
7. Condition 🔎📚✨
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This volume is a handsome survivor from the late 19th century, showing honest and authentic wear consistent with its age.
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The covers show extensive rubbing and scuffing, particularly along the edges and on the spine, where the surface material has worn away in places.
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The cloth binding remains solid and tight, though it shows some signs of use and age.
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The pages have some expected toning and foxing throughout, a natural process for paper from this period, which gives it authenticity.
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The pages are free from any major tears or stains, and the interior text block is clean.
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There is a beautifully designed bookplate on the inside front cover, which adds a unique layer of history.
8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩
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This volume was published shortly after the first Transcontinental Railroad was completed, a fact that had a profound impact on California. The railroad facilitated the rapid growth of the state and brought with it new public health challenges, many of which are discussed in this volume.
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The book provides a tangible link between a major engineering feat and the medical community’s response to the new challenges it created.
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The book's front bookplate from the Ferncliff Library in Newbury, New Hampshire, provides a documented history that transforms the book into an artifact with a known story.
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The book's seal features "EUREKA" and the year 1856, the year the society was founded, and 1870, the year the state medical license was created.
9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰
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Title: In Darkest Africa, or The Quest, Rescue, and Retreat of Emin, Governor of Equatoria
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Author/Maker: Henry M. Stanley
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Year: 1890
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Publisher/Foundry: Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington, Limited
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Place of Origin: London, England
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Format/Binding: Six Volume Set, Half-Leather over Boards
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Edition: Copyright 1890 by Charles Scribner's Sons for the United States of America
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Rarity: Rare as a consecutive six-volume set
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Transcription: The first volume has a handwritten inscription by the previous owner, James Kelly, professor at A&M University.