SPL Hand Coloured Rare Book Collection Featuring Norman R Bobins

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BOWDITCH, Edward, T.
Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, with a statistical account of that kingdom, geographical notices of other parts of the interior of Africa.

Bowdich was appointed conductor of the African Company mission to Ashantee in 1815, superseding his chief. He led the negotiations with the King of Ashantee which resulted in a treaty bringing peace to the British settlements on the Gold Coast. "The work in which he records the results of his Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee (1819) was received with enthusiasm, and his account of a people hitherto unknown and their warlike barbaric splendour excited widespread interest" (ODNB).

Published
London: John Murray, 1819.
References
Tooley 194; Abbey Travel I 279; Bobins I 79; Colas 418.
Plates
7
Binding/Size
M=4to
Value
0-5000
Published
London: John Murray, 1819.
Ref
468

4to. [26.5 x 22 cm]; 512 pp complete with 12 plates and maps including two engraved maps, one folding plan of Coomassie (Kumasi), nine folding plates, seven hand-coloured aquatints, one is a large folding panorama of Yam Custom. 5 pages of music. Later red morocco-backed boards, spine with gilt rule and lettering, library withdrawal stamp on title, folding plate with old repair at the fold. Excellent clean copy in a lovely binding. FIRST EDITION. Coloured plates in order: 1. Captain in his War Dress. 2. The First Day of the Yam Custom. (folding) 3. Part of the Quarters of the Mission / The Oldest House in Coomassee. 4. Odumata's Sleeping Room / Inner Square of Apookoos House. 5. Part of Adoom Street. (folding) 6. Part of a Piazza in the Palace (1) / Part of a Piazza in the Palace (2). 7. The King's Sleeping Room.