New York: Harper & Brothers, 1885. Hardcover. Sir Henry Morton Stanley (1841 – 1904) was a Welsh-American journalist, explorer, soldier, colonial administrator, author and politician who was famous for his exploration of central Africa and his search for missionary and explorer David Livingstone, whom he later claimed to have greeted with the now-famous line: "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?". He is mainly known for his search for the source of the Nile, work he undertook as an agent of King Leopold II of Belgium, which enabled the occupation of the Congo Basin region [Wikipedia]. In a prefatory note to this book Stanley describes his monumental work as "this narrative of labour, exploration and discovery, and history of a great and successful political and diplomatic achievement" and dedicates it to King Leopold. Later history may offer a different view. Bound in a beautiful green cloth with gilt titling and elaborate multicolor cover illustration of an African woman holding an English coat of arms. Covers are very bright with minor bumping and rubbing, although spines are browned and have wear along edges. Front hinges are tender and rear hinges are cracked. Text blocks still tight and firm. Interior pages are clean with light aging to margins. With 44 full page illustrations and 122 smaller illustrations. Each volume has a large folding map in a rear pocket. Maps have a few closed tears along the folds but are still in quite good condition. Volume I also has three maps fold out maps. A lovely set of this important history in very good condition. Measures 6 x 9 inches. Volume I: 528 pages; Volume II: 483 pages plus 12 pages of advertisements. AFRICA/010721. Very Good. More