PARK (Mungo). A Journey into the Interior of Africa, Undertaken in 1795, 1796, and 1797… With Explanations on the Geography of the Interior of Africa, by Major Rennell. Paris: Dentu, Carteret, Tavernier, Year VIII [1800]. — 2 volumes, in-8, 195 x 122: portrait, xij, 411 pp., 1 map, 3 plates; (2 ff.), 376 pp., 16 pp. of catalog, 1 plate, 2 maps. Marbled calfskin, smooth spine with decoration, yellow edges (contemporary binding). First French edition, translated by Jean Castéra, of the complete account of the journey by the Scotsman Mungo Park (1771–1806). Park had been commissioned by the African Association to travel to Africa to continue the exploration begun in 1793 by Major Daniel Hougton, who died before completing his mission. Mungo Park thus became the first Westerner to explore the Niger River, as recounted in his account, which also contains unique information on the slave trade. The edition is illustrated with a portrait of Mungo Park engraved by N. Courbe as a frontispiece, five plates—two botanical and three landscape views—as well as three fold-out maps: Mr. Mungo Park’s Route, from Pisania on the Gambia River to Silla on the Joliba or Niger River, with the return route via the south to Pisania. Drawn by Major J. Rennell (the routes are shown in color). - Map of Compass Variations in the Seas Surrounding Africa. - Map Showing the New Discoveries in Northern Africa, drawn by Major J. Rennell in 1798. Copy from the library of cartographer Jean-André Dezauche, who added the publisher’s 16-page catalog from that period, which describes the work. Some normal wear on the bindings; small tears on the endpapers of the second volume. The interior is perfectly preserved despite restoration work on the first two leaves of the second volume. Provenance: Jean-André Dezauche, with bookplate.