Paul Bory - Les Explorateurs de l’Afrique - 1890

A book that, even before it is opened, evokes the era of the great 19th-century exploratory journeys. Les Explorateurs de l’Afrique by Paul Bory was published in 1890 by Alfred Mame et Fils in Tours and takes the reader to an Africa that at the time was mainly known to the European public from the reports of travelers, geographers, and explorers.

Bory follows the journeys and adventures of well-known explorers such as Gustav Nachtigal, Joseph Gallieni, Henry Morton Stanley, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza, Samuel White Baker, and Georges Révoil. Their expeditions lead through the Sahara and the Sahel, along the great rivers of Central Africa and further to the Congo, equatorial and southern Africa. Encounters with local populations, perilous passages, unfamiliar landscapes, wild animals, and events during the various expeditions are described in detail. The work thus forms not only a narrative of exploratory travel but also a characteristic historical document of European interest in and perspective on Africa at the end of the 19th century.

The great appeal of this edition, however, lies at least as much in its exceptionally decorative design. The book remains in its original, richly ornamented light blue publisher’s binding. Across the front cover unfolds a nearly full-bleed scene of tropical vegetation, in which several portrait medallions of explorers are integrated. Nachtigal, the Brazza, Stanley, Samuel Baker, Gallieni, and Révoil appear among the greenery, combined with fine black decoration and gold accents. In the bottom left, the binding decor bears the printed signature A. Souze, the designer of this striking composition.

The spine is fully incorporated into the design as well. Between the vegetal ornaments stand the author’s name and the title in gold, while a portrait medallion of David Livingstone completes the decoration. The gold-coloured edges of the pages enhance the luxurious character of the edition. The result is typical of the richly produced French publisher’s bindings from the late 19th century: a book intended not only to be read but also to be displayed and admired.

Inside too, the visual character is maintained. The substantial work comprises 398 pages and is richly illustrated with detailed black-and-white illustrations and full-page plates. We see portraits of explorers, African landscapes and oases, expeditions, encounters, settlements, and impressive scenes with wildlife, including elephants. The fine linework and the large dimensions of many illustrations make the book particularly attractive to browse.

With a size of approximately 30 × 21 × 4 cm, it is also a rather large and imposing edition, allowing both the richly decorated binding and the illustrations inside to stand out well.

The copy is in good and attractive condition for its age. The original publisher’s binding shows visible but appropriate signs of wear and aging, including wear to the edges and corners and some wear and fraying at the head and tail of the spine. The important polychrome decoration on the front cover remains beautifully present, and both the colors and gold accents are well preserved. The book block is coherent. The paper shows scattered light foxing and age spots, appropriate for a book of this age, while the text and illustrations remain clear and legible.

Paul Bory – Les Explorateurs de l’Afrique: Nachtigal, Gallieni, Stanley, de Brazza, Samuel Baker, Georges Révoil, etc. – Tours, Alfred Mame et Fils – 1890 – 398 pages – ca. 30 × 21 × 4 cm.