Sir Harry Johnston — George Grenfell and the Congo

London, Hutchinson & Co, 1908 . First edition. Cloth. Bright copies of the two volume first edition of Johnston's study of Grenfell, in the very scarce publisher's original dust wrappers. The two volume first edition of British explorer, botanist, artist, colonial administrator Sir Harry Johnston's study of the life of Cornish missionary and explorer George Grenfell, published two years after his death in Basoko from backwater fever.In the exceptionally scarce publisher's original dust wrappers, unclipped.Illustrated with fourteen maps, three of which are folding, and thirty five plates, with numerous further vignette illustrations. Collated, complete.Johnston provides a fascinating account of Grenfell's Congo explorations. A passionate missionary, in 1903 Grenfell protested King Leopold against consistent refusal of the Congo Free State authorities to allow further Baptist advance beyond Yakusu on the Upper Congo, with no effect.He was awarded in 1887 the Patron's Medal of the Royal Geographical Society for his explorations in the Cameroons and Congo. In the publisher's original cloth bindings, with unclipped dust wrappers. Bumping to spine heads and tails, with light marks to head of front boards. Significant fading to dust wrapper back strips, with significant closed tear to tail of of volume I front joint. Further closed tear to tail of volume I front flyleaf fold, and small fold to centre of rear wrap. Edgewear to volume I back strip head and tail. Internally, firmly bound. Pages generally clean and bright, with the odd light spot to final few leaves of each volume. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good Indeed/Very Good.