The Kilima-njaro Expedition by JOHNSTON, H.H - 1885

London: Edward Stanford, 1885. The March 1885 issue of the Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society. Seldom found in such good and original condition, complete with blue wrappers and all the ads. Precedes the book by one year! 8vo. 24 pages, plus a strikingly beautiful colour map of Kilimanjaro. Setting forth to thoroughly investigate, in scientific terms, a then little-known region in East Africa, briefly traversed by Henry Morton Stanley and Joseph Thomson in recent past, Mount Kilimajaro and its environs would hold Johnston's celebrated expedition. Quickly upon his arrival in the Kilimanjaro region he settled as a guest of Mandara, ruler of Moshi, and, inadvertently instigating discontent from other tribes. An unsettling theatre of disputes ensued, Mandara's allegiance wavering side-to-side, trading of wives and cattle employed to gain favour, and Johnston ultimately being forced to concoct a viable and daunting threat to save his own life. This was merely the beginning of his momentous experiences on this expedition. His firsthand account describes the journey, enterprising undertakings, collections of over 300 species, unsurpassable scenery while climbing, and most memorable albeit sometimes duplicitous encounters, in poignant detail. The map of Mount Kilimanjaro is crisp and vivid, showing significant elevations attained, its vast lush forests, and the author's routes with collecting stations along its path, measuring 10 inches x 8 inches. Sir Harry Johnston was one of the most popular explorers of his day. After travelling through southern Angola with the Earl of Mayo, Johnston continued to the Congo basin where he secured the support, and became close friends with Henry Stanley. Taking notice, the Royal Society commissioned him to undertake a scientific expedition to Mt. Kilimanjaro. Johnston climbed to over 16,000 feet along the "saddle" of the mountain which runs between Kibo and Kimawensi. He gathered a rich collection of plants and insects which were sent back to England. The expedition also achieved an unexpected but significant political result. Under the auspices of the British Agent and Vice-Consul of Zanzibar, Sir John Kirk, Johnston effected treaties with the chiefs of several local tribes to accept British protection, which would later form the basis of the foundation of the British East Africa Protectorate of 1895.. First Edition.