Reconnoitring in Abyssinia: A Narrative of the Proceedings of the Reconnoitring Party, prior to the Arrival of the Main Body of the Expeditionary Field Force.

Colonel Henry St. Clair Wilkins

Published by Smith, Elder & Co, London, 1870

About this Item

A smart copy of the scarce first edition of H. St. Clair Wilkins's account of the rescue mission and punitive expedition carried out in 1868 by the armed forces of the British Empire against the Ethiopian Empire. The scarce first edition Henry Wilkins St. Clair's account of his command of the Royal Engineers throughout the Abyssinian expedition of 1868, regarded as one of the British army's most ambitious and expensive campaigns, carried out against Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia, who had imprisoned missionaries and two British government representatives.Collated; illustrated with ten tinted lithographic plates, finished by hand as issued. With the large folding map in the pocket to the rear of the work supplied in facsimile only.Wilkins was mentioned in dispatches by Lord Napier of Magdala for his 'invaluable and important services', and was appointed aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria.With the bookplate of Anglo-Swiss financier Clinton E. Geiser to the front pastedown. With the 1923 inscription of 'G [sic] Douglas to the recto of the frontispiece, and 'Thomas H. Clark' to the head of page 1.A smart copy of this scarce first hand account of the 1868 Abyssinian expedition. Rebound in paper covered boards, with endpapers renewed. Bumping to spine tail, with minor light handling marks to boards. Bookplate to front pastedown. Facsimile map in pocket to rear pastedown. Internally, firmly bound with the exception of one gathering, which is working loose. Inscription to recto of frontispiece, and to head of first page of chapter I. Pages a touch age toned, with the odd light handling mark. With the odd instance of pencil underlining throughout. Very Good.

Seller Inventory # 835F24

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Reconnoitring in Abyssinia: A Narrative of the Proceedings of the Reconnoitring Party, prior to the Arrival of the Main Body of the Expeditionary Field Force.
• Publisher: Smith, Elder & Co, London
• Publication Date: 1870
• Binding: Hardback
• Illustrator: Not Stated
• Edition: First edition.
• Condition: Very Good
• Book Type: book
• Seller catalogs:
  • Travel & Exploration