CAILLIÉ (René).

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CAILLIÉ (René).
CAILLIÉ (René). Journal d'un voyage à Temboctou et à Jenné dans l'Afrique centrale, précédé d'observations faites chez les Maures Braknas, les Nalous et d'autres peuples; pendant les années 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, 1828. Paris, Imprimerie Royale, 1830. 3 vol. in-8, half-calf, smooth spine decorated (Binding). First edition of the account of one of the most famous exploits of Saharan exploration, realized by a self-taught and penniless traveler. Coming from a modest family in Vendée, Caillié embarked for Senegal at the age of 17 as a servant of an officer. Fascinated by the exploration of the African continent, he participated a few years later in Major Gray's expedition in search of Mungo Park, and after various stays in the West Indies, returned to Africa in 1824 and spent two years among the Brakna Moors of Senegal to learn their language and customs. In April 1827, he left alone through the Fouta Djalon to the Upper Niger region and reached Djenne after a year of effort. From Djenné, he reached the goal of his journey, the mythical city of Timbuktu, from which no explorer had ever returned alive. The return journey was no less perilous. Posing as a poor Muslim, Caillié joined a caravan that crossed the Western Sahara via Arouan, Taoudeni and Tafilelt. After 3 months of mistreatment, undermined by hunger and thirst, he reaches Tangier at the end of his strength. The illustration includes a portrait of Caillié on the frontispiece, a large folding map of the itinerary and 5 plates outside the text including a folding view of the city of Timbuktu. Jomard's "remarks et recherches géographiques", the French-Mandingo and French-Kissour vocabularies, the detailed itinerary and various original pieces are found in the last volume. Bookplate from the library of Baron de Nervo. Slight foxing. Spine uniformly faded. A nice copy, complete with the large map.
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