SOLEILLET (Paul). Travels in Ethiopia (January 1882–October 1884). Notes, letters, and miscellaneous documents. Rouen: Espérance Cagniard Printing House, 1886. — In-4, 257 x 197: (4 leaves, first 2 blank), 347 pp., (2 leaves), printed cover. Red half-shagreen with corners, ribbed spine, gilt head, untrimmed, cover preserved (20th-century binding). First edition. The Nîmes-born explorer Paul Soleillet (1842–1886) is a little-known but fascinating figure. Although an active participant in the colonial movement of his time, he distinguished himself through bold and humanistic stances: deep respect for indigenous peoples, categorical rejection of slavery, and a sincere belief in the possibility of friendship between Christians and Muslims. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he systematically sought to integrate himself into local communities, favoring diplomacy and friendly exchange to facilitate trade rather than coercion or domination. Soleillet traveled through the Sahara, Senegal, Sudan, and East Africa, but it is his final journey to Ethiopia, from January 1882 to October 1884, that is the subject of this publication. Written in the form of a journal, it traces his route from Obock to Ankobèr, then from Ankobèr to Sagallo, from August 20, 1882, to August 1, 1883, interspersed with chapters devoted to the Kingdom of Kaffa, the Oromos, the Gallas of Galane, the Kingdom of Choa, and Ras Dargué. It was during this journey that Soleillet met Arthur Rimbaud. The account is preceded by notes and various documents, as well as the report sent by Soleillet to the Minister of Foreign Affairs concerning the French possession of Obock and the Kingdom of Choa. Complete copy of the errata sheet, attached at the beginning. The errors listed have been corrected in ink within the book. Good copy. Stains and tears on the cover. Scattered foxing. Included: - SOLEILLET (Paul). Obock - Choa - Kaffa. Account of a Commercial Expedition to Ethiopia. Paris: Maurice Dreyfous, [1886]. — In-18, red percaline cloth with the publisher’s illustration, plain spine, gilt edges. Partially original edition, largely reprinting the text of the previous work, but with the narrative ending on January 15, 1883. Spine slightly faded, gilt lettering dull. Foxing spots. - GROS (Jules). Paul Soleillet in Africa. Paris: A. Picard and Kaan, Maurice Dreyfous, [1888]. — In-8, blue percaline cardboard cover illustrated by the publisher. First edition published in the “Bibliothèque coloniale et de voyages” series, summarizing Paul Soleillet’s explorations in Africa. It features a portrait of Soleillet as a frontispiece, along with several illustrations within the text and full-page illustrations by Genilloud, Massé, and Notor. The binding’s decorations are tarnished. Foxing spots.