Auguste René Caillié - Dagverhaal eener reize naar Temboektoe, van de westkust af van Afrika, door [...] - 1831

First Dutch edition of Caillié's travels to Timbuktu. in 2 vols complete with the large folding map ( 41,5 x 28,5 cm) after E.F. Jomard and the frontispiece and portrait.

XVI, 496; [4] and 622 [= 582] pp.
Rebound in artificial leather.
Reference: Saalmink, p. 338; cf. Gay, Bibl. de l'Afrique et l'Arabe248 (French edition); Howgego, 1800-1850, C2; not in Tiele,

Condition: Good. Due to age spotting and discoloring. Well bound, no inscriptinos or tears.

In 1826 the Société de Géographie had offered a reward of 10,000 francs to the first European to visit Timbuktu (and return alive). Caillié, by that time already travelling in Africa, was determined to reach the fabled city. Dressed as a Muslim and well-versed in Arabic, he embarked on his journey in April 1827, reaching Timbuktu on 19 April of the following year. Accordingly, Caillié was rewarded the 10,000 franc prize after his successful return in October 1828. His narrative contains many interesting details on the secluded regions he traversed and the peoples he encountered, without romanticizing his adventures.