Francis de CASTELNAU
Renseignements sur l'Afrique Centrale et sur une nation d'hommes à queue qui s'y trouverait, d'après le rapport des nègres du Soudan, esclaves à Bahia
P. Bertrand|Paris 1851|13.5 x 22 cm|Relié
First edition, illustrated with four plates including a map of the Sudan.
The plates depict human types and a map of Sudan, drawn "according to the Negro slaves in Bahia".
Modern Bradel binding in black half shagreen, smooth spine decorated with two gilt floral tools, gilt date at foot, marbled paper boards, original wrappers preserved (small hole on rear board).
A naturalist and explorer, Francis de Castelnau undertook, between 1843 and 1847, a major expedition across South America, notably visiting Peru and Brazil.
In 1848, he was appointed French consul in Bahia. Upon his arrival, he observed that several African-born slaves could read and write Arabic and L
€1,800