first edition
1890 · New York
by [Lovecraft, H.P.]; Henry M. Stanley
New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1890. First American edition. Legendary horror writer Howard Phillips Lovecraft's personal copy of the travelogue In Darkest Africa with his signature and mother's parents' address written in ink on the first blank page of each volume, and his initials written in pencil on the front free endpaper corners. First edition, trade issue. Complete in two volumes, bound in publisher's green cloth with gilt and black stamping. Includes maps in rear pouch of both volumes. Very Good with insecting and edge-rubbing to cloth, light foxing to edges, small binder's error to upper corner of some pages on Vol. I. Sturdy bindings.
A highly unusual copy of Stanley's epic 19th century memoir, from the personal library of one of America's foremost horror writers. Lovecraft's fascination with lost cities, alien landscapes, and arcane lore were clearly inspired by travelogues like Stanley's, but it's Lovecraft's most controversial attribute today-- his blatant, undeniable racism against people of African descent as well as Portuguese, Jewish, Italian, and Irish immigrants-- that make these two volumes fascinating association copies. The history of European colonialism in Africa and its relationship to various racist ideologies (i.e. the process of "othering" those with different appearances) over the past few hundred years are subjects far too complex to even summarize here, let alone how these themes manifested in early 20th century genre fiction like Lovecraft's. But suffice to say these particular books really do speak volumes on race, colonialism, exploration, politics, literature-- you name it. They are remarkable survivals with a fascinating provenance. (Inventory #: 140948014)
A highly unusual copy of Stanley's epic 19th century memoir, from the personal library of one of America's foremost horror writers. Lovecraft's fascination with lost cities, alien landscapes, and arcane lore were clearly inspired by travelogues like Stanley's, but it's Lovecraft's most controversial attribute today-- his blatant, undeniable racism against people of African descent as well as Portuguese, Jewish, Italian, and Irish immigrants-- that make these two volumes fascinating association copies. The history of European colonialism in Africa and its relationship to various racist ideologies (i.e. the process of "othering" those with different appearances) over the past few hundred years are subjects far too complex to even summarize here, let alone how these themes manifested in early 20th century genre fiction like Lovecraft's. But suffice to say these particular books really do speak volumes on race, colonialism, exploration, politics, literature-- you name it. They are remarkable survivals with a fascinating provenance. (Inventory #: 140948014)
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