A VOYAGE TO ABYSSINIA, AND TRAVELS INTO THE INTERIOR OF THAT COUNTRY. EXECUTED UNDER THE ORDERS OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, IN THE YEARS 1809 AND 1810

London: Printed for F. C. and J. Rivington by W. Bulmer and Co, 1814. First Edition. Quarter Leather. Near Fine binding. A First Edition copy of the record of Henry Salt's journey along the Red Sea coast. In 1809, Henry Salt traveled through the Horn of Africa on a diplomatic trip to Abyssinia. Sent by the British Government to cultivate friendly relations and assess the state of the country, he would never reach the king of Gondar but delivered the presents of arms and ammunition to the Ras of Tigre, while also documenting and sketching his experiences with the peoples along the Red Sea coast. Collates complete, with 2 vignettes, 34 copper engraved plates, 4 fold-out maps and one large hand colored map. Four centimeter closed tear at the middle of the right edge of the hand colored map. Newly bound in period quarter calf binding over brown paper covered boards. Red morocco label and raised bands. Included with the book are the original paper covered boards, which were returned by the binder. Some foxing to the plates. Long closed tear on pages 405/406, with an old repair using paper patches, now toned, not affecting the text. With deckled edges. The full-page illustrations were made by Charles Heath from original sketches by Salt, who had studied to be an artist before his career as diplomat. With a lengthy linguistic dictionary in the appendix, of the local tribes of East Africa. After publication of this work, Salt would return as Consul-General of Egypt and direct excavations at Thebes and Abu Simbel. An attractive copy in exceptional condition. (Dictionary of National Biography, 701-702.). Near Fine binding.