We Two in West Africa

London: William Heinemann, 1909. First Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. First Edition. Hardcover. SCARCE IN THE UNITED STATES. Decima Moore, (Lady Moore-Guggisberg, 1871-1964) was a popular stage actress and singer in London, known for her performances in soprano roles with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company and in musical comedies. In 1905, Moore married Major (later Brigadier General) Sir Frederick Gordon Guggisberg. This was the second marriage for both. Guggisberg (1869-1930) was born in Canada and moved to England at the age of 10. He became a British Army officer and British Empire colonial administrator. He was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1889. In 1902 Guggisberg was employed by the Colonial Office on a special survey of the Gold Coast Colony, and in 1905 he was appointed director of surveys in that colony. Moore accompanied her husband to West Africa, and in 1909, they jointly published this work describing their life in the Gold Coast (now Ghana). In the Preface, Guggisberg states tongue-in-cheek that "This is a most irritating book to read. My wife wanted to write an account of her travels -- I wanted to write an account of mine. ... My wife kept notes - I did not." So this book combines their impressions, hers from the perspective of a newcomer; his as an old inhabitant. Chapters describe life in Accra, train journeys, gold mining in West Africa, and time in a bush camp. Copiously illustrated with black-and-white photographs. Includes a fold-out map of the Gold Coast at end of book. Octavo. Red cloth-covered boards with gilt illustration on front cover. Title in black to front cover and in gilt to spine. Covers show signs of handling; spine is slightly faded. Wear at edges of covers and scuffing to front and rear joints of spine. Spine is slightly cocked. Pages are yellowed, but otherwise bright and clean. 368 pages, including index. TRAVEXP/060525.