BURTON, Richard Francis, Sir (1821-1890) and James MacQUEEN (1778-1870). The Nile Basin. London: Tinsley Brothers, 1864.

8vo (203 x 131 mm). Half-title, 3 engraved maps. (Light marginal toning, some minor staining and chipping.) Late 20th-century brown morocco gilt and ruled in black, uncut. Provenance: George Merryweather (bookplate to publisher’s advertisements at the front); some later pencil annotations.

FIRST EDITION of Burton's last published book about the Speke controversy regarding the discovery of the source of the Nile. Speke accompanied Burton on an expedition to search for the source of the Nile in 1856. During their travels, Burton discovered Lake Tanganyika, which he considered might be the source. After Burton became ill, Speke found and named Lake Victoria, which he proclaimed was the source. Speke took full credit for the discovery in his Journal of the Discovery. Burton and Speke were invited to debate their theories about the true source of the Nile, but Speke died on that day. Penzer, pp.74-75; Spink 34.

[With:] [BURTON, Richard Francis, Sir]. YOUNG, Donald, editor. The Search for the Source of the Nile. Correspondence between Captain Richard Burton, Captain John Speke and Others, from Burton's unpublished East African Letter Book. London: [Bernard Quaritch Ltd., 2002]. 8vo. Tipped-in frontispiece portrait, title printed in red and black, folding map. Original dark green cloth decorated in blind and gilt. FIRST EDITION, second issue, one of 80 copies. -- And another copy.

Property from the Collection of Robert S. Brown, Cincinnati, Ohio

BURTON, Richard Francis, Sir (1821-1890) and James MacQUEEN (1778-1870). The Nile Basin. London: Tinsley Brothers, 1864.