“THE EUROPEAN HAS NEITHER THE WISH NOR THE POWER TO CONSTITUTE A WHITE PROLETARIAT IN COUNTRIES LIKE EAST AFRICA”

CHURCHILL, Winston. My African Journey. London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1908. Octavo, original pictorial red cloth. $2200.

First edition of this early Churchill travelogue, with three full-page maps and over 60 photographs, many taken by Churchill, in original pictorial cloth.

As undersecretary of State for the Colonies in 1907, Churchill traveled to Africa on a tour of inspection. He "saw the advantages of producing a travelogue on Britain's valuable possessions in East Africa. Among these, Churchill waxes most eloquent on Uganda, which he calls 'a pearl" (Langworth, 80). My African Journey "includes photographs allegedly taken by Churchill, the only such appearance in the canon; the text is important because it shows Churchill raising prescient questions involving the betterment of the East African population" (Langworth, 80). With 16-page publisher's catalogue at rear. Cohen A27.1. Woods A12. Langworth, 80-83.

Light foxing to endpapers and edges, a few spots to title page, text clean. Spine gently toned (less so than often found) with mild rubbing to foot, gilt and pictorial front panel bright. An appealing, near-fine copy.