2 volumes, 8vo (188 x 122 mm). Mounted lithographic portrait frontispiece of Burton in vol. I, 4 engraved plates, engraved folding map with hand-colored coast. (A few tears to map and one plate crossing into image with most tears repaired verso, slight soiling and toning.) 20th-century half maroon morocco gilt, edges sprinkled red. 

FIRST EDITION with the rare lithographic portrait frontispiece of Burton reproduced from his wedding portrait by Louis Desanges from his wedding to Isabel Arundel on 22 January 1861. Still smarting from his public feud with Speke, poor treatment by the East India Company, and from being overlooked for other diplomatic postings, Burton left the Indian Army to a position as the British Consul in Fernando Po, present-day Bioko in Equatorial Guinea. He began his solo journey on 24 August 1861 to reach Fernando Po, exploring many West African port cities along the way, including detailing his experiences of the Yoruba Fortress of Abeokuta while in Lagos, traveling through Ambas Bay, and exploring the mountains of Cameroon. Penzer, pp. 70-71; Spink 26.