LANDER (Richard and John). Journal of an expedition undertaken to explore the course and mouth of the Niger River, or an account of a journey on that river from Yaourie to its mouth. Paris: Paulin, 1832. — 3 volumes, in-8, 200 x 123: 354 pp., (3 ff.), 2 maps; frontispiece, 348 pp., 2 plates; frontispiece, 395 pp., 1 plate. Marbled half-basane with small corners, smooth decorated spine, yellow edges (contemporary binding, later spine). First edition of the French translation by Louise Swanton Belloc (1796–1881) of the journal of explorers Richard and John Lander on the Niger River. In 1830, the Lander brothers, recruited by the explorer Hugh Clapperton, set out on an expedition to solve the mystery of the Niger River’s mouth. After Clapperton’s death, they continued their journey alone and traveled down the river from Boussa (present-day Nigeria) to its mouth in the Gulf of Benin, thereby proving that the Niger flowed into the Atlantic Ocean—and not into Lake Chad or any other location, as had been assumed at the time. Their work shed light on one of the last great geographical mysteries of the era, influencing future explorations and colonial policies in Africa. This historic voyage is the one described in this book, from the two brothers’ departure from Plymouth on January 9, 1830, until their return in June 1831. The edition is illustrated with 8 figures—including one full-page illustration and 7 within the text—as well as 2 maps (“Course of the Quorra, Senegal, and Gambia” and “Course of the Quorra (Joliba or Mungo Park’s Niger) based on the Journal of the Voyage of Brothers Richard and John Lander, with their Route from Badagry northward, in 1830”) and 5 plates of views. The maps and plates were engraved on copper. A copy in a contemporary binding, though the spines have been later re-bound. Rounded corners. Scattered foxing.