T. Edward Bowdich. Mission From Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee. London: John Murray, 1819.. First edition. Quarto. ...

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Bowdich's Ashantee Narrative With Plates

T. Edward Bowdich. Mission From Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee. London: John Murray, 1819.

First edition. Quarto. 512 pages.

Contemporary full leather is rubbed and worn with detached boards and perishing spine. Pages are toned and moderately foxed throughout. Bookplates on both pastedowns. Small tear on top edge of title page. Lacking half-title. Lacking plate opposite page 32 of captain in war-dress. Arabic Circular plate is worn with partially separated hinge. Dampstaining to engraved music leaves. Folding color plate opposite page 275 has been reinforced at hinges. Overall, a good copy of this scarce and important title.

Bowdich's diplomatic skill allowed him to form a treaty with the king of Ashantee. This agreement helped bring British control to the Gold Coast and peace to the British settlements there. Bowdich "was the first whose labours accomplished the object of penetrating to the interior of Africa. In 1818 he returned home with impaired health, and in 1819 published the interesting and valuable details of his expedition, A Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee. This work excited great interest, as an almost incredible story (recalling The Arabian Nights) of a land and people of warlike and barbaric splendour hitherto unknown." From the Professor John Ralph Willis Collection of Rare Africana.

DNB, Volume 6, page 41.