Ismailia. A Narrative of the Expedition to Central Africa for the Suppression of the Slave Trade. Organized by Ismail Khedive of Egypt. 2 vols.

This is a rare or used book from the Berkelouw Rare Books Department.

London: Macmillan 1874. Royal 8vo. Orig. illust. green cloth. Gilt (covers flecked). With 2 frontispieces 50 full-page plates by Zwecker and Durand and 2 maps hand-col. in outline of which 1 is folded. 1st edition. Dr George Bennett's copy with his bookplate inside front cover of both vols. Some foxing but a good uncut set. NOTE: Baker was given supreme power by the Khedive to rout the Slave Trade once and for all. Baker describes the Khedive's written mandate to him thus: 'The supreme command of this expedition is confided to Sir Samuel White Baker for four years ... to whom we also confer the most absolute and supreme power even that of death over all those who may compose the expedition'. Baker marvels at his own position: '(The Khedive) selected an Englishman armed with a despotic power such as had never been intrusted (sic) by a Mahommedan to a Christian'. While most of the narrative involves travel and military adventure there are several episodes of sport as well.