May 2022 Auction Ends Thursday, May 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/26/2022
Incredible archive of 19th century explorers, including an autograph letter signed by David Livingstone during the Zambezi Expedition, mentioning the ''many large Lakes like seas...Burton has discovered''. Lot also includes three autograph letters signed by explorer and Governor-General of the Sudan Charles George Gordon from the mid-1870s (one with several drawings); a Queen Victoria signature; and an archive of Frank Vardon, close friend to David Livingstone and fellow explorer. Vardon's collection includes numerous letters, drawings and retained letters from Livingstone to Vardon.
Autograph letter signed by Livingstone is composed from Shamoara on 29 October 1959, during the Zambezi Expedition with Livingstone writing to Dr. John Kirk, who would later excoriate Livingstone for his ''inept'' leadership on the expedition. Livingstone writes, ''My Dear Dr. Kirk / We left [?] on the 25th after completing the magnetical observations - We were at Morambala last night but a storm which continued all night prevented our seeing the occultation. I hope you were more fortunate -
Supposing you to be at Telte [sic] last night I have resolved to send up [William] Rowe to get a box of biscuits and a jar of butter at Senna. While the men who remain cut wood here - and when we get a-head & Rowe has returned we shall go down to Shupanga and wait for you there. We have got several blows[?] in coming down. We were driven right ashore by the wind last night & hurt our paddles - We make more water than when you left too. So the sooner she is in dock the better. Rowe will bring the mail if you have not come down quicker than we expected and got them. My brother has had [?] again and badly - Compts to [George] Rae / D. Livingstone
I have told Ferrao that there are 'many large Lakes like seas North of Telte [sic] & [Richard Francis] Burton has discovered them - We have been to Nyassa or [?]' & it was very hot.''' Livingstone then pens Dr. Kirk's name on integral address panel, ''at Mr. Ferrao's'' and includes a postscript, ''If Rowe & Hutchins have but reached Senna then be good enough to bring butter and salt. & a box of flour & one tine biscuits - as we may have but one''. Bifolium letter on four sheets including address panel measures 7.25'' x 8.875''. Small tear from red wax seal. Folds and light soiling. Overall in very good condition.
Archive continues with three autograph letters signed by explorer Charles George Gordon, all dated in the mid-1870s when Gordon served with the Khedive of Egypt. One letter, in particular, from Station Bedden on 5 May 1875 includes four drawings, one of the geography of the area.
Lot also includes a signature by Queen Victoria, penned on a vellum slip measuring 3.75'' x 1.75'', included with a 1903 note from Alexander Williams, gifting the signature. Heavy soiling to vellum, in good condition.
Finally, archive includes dozens of personal documents, letters and drawings belonging to Captain Frank Vardon, David Livingstone's friend and fellow explorer; the two explored Africa together in 1846-47. A wealth of fascinating information including retained copies of letters from Livingstone to Vardon, detailed hand-drawn maps of Africa, receipts and personal ledgers, newspaper clippings, letters to Vardon, even a draft of Vardon's grave marker. An extraordinary collection of 19th century English exploration in Africa, with personal information worthy of further research. Overall in very good condition.
Incredible Archive of 19th Century Explorers -- Includes a David Livingstone Autograph Letter Signed During the Zambezi Expedition, Three Letters by Charles G. Gordon, Queen Victoria Signature, Etc.
Click above for larger image.