BRUCE (James). - Lot 9

BRUCE (James). Maps and Illustrations from a Journey to Nubia and Abyssinia. Paris: Plassan, 1792. — In-4, 270 x 202: (2 ff.), 88 plates. Gray Bradel-style cloth, covers lined with wood-grain paper, smooth spine, untrimmed (modern binding). The only atlas intended to accompany the French edition, published between 1790 and 1792, of *Journey to the Sources of the Nile, in Nubia and Abyssinia, during the years 1768, 1769, 1770, 1771, and 1772 by the Scottish traveler James Bruce, and *Paterson’s Journey Among the Hottentots and the Kaffirs*. James Bruce traveled through much of Ethiopia for four years in search of the true sources of the Nile. He believed he had discovered them, when in fact they were merely the Abyssinian Nile—also known as the Blue Nile, Bah-rel-Azrek, or Abaï—which had already been described by his predecessors. His account was met with skepticism upon publication, as the facts described therein aroused doubt and perplexity among skeptical scholars and explorers. The truth of his account was not recognized until much later, thanks to the travelers Combes, Tamisier, and Léon Delaborde—with the exception, of course, of his discovery of the sources of the Nile. The atlas includes 88 plates depicting the fauna, flora, costumes, antiquities, and views of the countries visited, as well as 4 large fold-out maps. Plates 1 through 68 pertain to James Bruce’s journey; the others to Paterson’s. Copy in a modern binding. The title page and a few plates are soiled. Tears at the bottom of the first two folios and the first four plates. Corner restoration on the last few plates. A few very rare, minor water stains.