Lot 317: HARNIER, Wilhelm von (1836-1861). Wilhelm von Harnier's Reise am oberen Nil. Nach dessen

HARNIER, Wilhelm von (1836-1861). Wilhelm von Harnier's Reise am oberen Nil. Nach dessen hinterlassenen Tagebüchern herausgegeben von Adolph von Harnier. Mit einem Vorwort von Dr. A. Petermann. Nebst einer Specialkarte und XXVII Originalzeichnungen Wilhelm von Harnier's, ausgeführt in Farbendruck von J.M. Bernatz. Darmstadt & Leipzig, Berlin: Eduard Zernin, Asher & Cie., 1866.

Oblong 4° (250 x 320mm). Chromolithographic additional title, 1 folding lithographic map with route marked by hand in red, 27 chromolithographic plates after von Harnier 1 double-page, by C. Heyn W. Diez, P. Herwegen and others, printed by Schmidt of Munich. (Small neat repairs to outer corners of first 69 leaves, about 13 plates with appreciable spotting.) Original cloth, covers panelled in blind, the upper cover titled in gilt (rebacked and resewn).

A fine copy of this rare work with high quality plates. The author's sketches were prepared for publication by Johann Martin Bernatz (1802-1878) following von Harnier's untimely death. 'The end of Baron Harnier was exceedingly tragic. Having wounded a buffalo, the animal charged a native attendant and threw him to the ground; Baron Harnier was unloaded, and with great courage he attacked the buffalo with the butt-end of his rifle to rescue the man then beneath the animal's horns. The buffalo left the man and turned upon his new assailant. The native, far from assisting his master, who had thus jeopardized his life to save him, fled from the spot. The unfortunate baron was found by the missionaries trampled and gored into an undistinguishable mass; and the dead body of the buffalo was found at a short distance, the animal having been mortally wounded.' (Sir Samuel W. Baker The Albert N'Yanza, 1866).

No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium