'Twixt Sirdar & Menelik. An Account of a Year's Expedition from Zeila to Cairo Through Unknown Abyssinia
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1901. First edition. Hardcover. Octavo (8 1/2 x 6"). xxv, [1], 408, [2]pp. Modern 3/4 crushed morocco over marbled paper covered boards, with gold lettering and illustration to spine. Raised bands. Top edge gilt. Marbled endpapers. Tissue-guarded frontispiece portrait of Emperor Menelik II.
First edition of this fascinating travel memoir of Captain Wellby who had befriended Emperor Menelik II in 1898, and was given permission to explore large unexplored parts of the country.
In this volume profusely illustrated with numerous b/w photographic reproductions, drawings, some on plates, including two maps, the author recounts in detail his daily adventures, writing interesting notes on the characteristics of the native soldiers, the ceremonies of Emperor Menelik II and the powerful Queen Taitu, the race for water in the midst of a drought, etc.
The text of Captain Wellby's Abyssinian journey was completed just prior to his death. Indeed, on August 5, 1900 Wellby was cornered by enemy troops during the Boer war in South Africa, and rather than surrender, “chose the nobler part,” drew his sword, and was shot and killed, dying with honor.
Ex-library copy with stickers at tail of spine. Ex-library bookplate on inside of front cover. Library stamps to top and bottom paper edges. Binding slightly rubbed along edges. Binding in overall good+, interior in very good condition. g+ to vg. Item #45236
Price: $250.00