HANDSOME FIRST EDITION OF BRACKENBURY’S HISTORY OF THE ASHANTI WAR, WITH FOLDING MAPS

(AFRICA—GOLD COAST—GHANA) BRACKENBURY, Henry. The Ashanti War, A Narrative. London: William Blackwood, 1874. Two volumes. Octavo, contemporary full burgundy polished calf gilt, covers with gilt emblem and motto of the Harrow School (London), elaborately gilt-decorated spine, raised bands, red and green morocco spine labels, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. $1750.

First edition of this engaging history of the (Third) Ashanti War, 1873-74, with a two-page folding facsimile of a letter written in English by the Ashanti commander, Amanquatia, along with six folding maps, in handsome full calf-gilt prize bindings of the renowned Harrow School, in London.

Sir Henry Brackenbury served the late 19th-century English Empire in India and Africa in a variety of capacities, most notably as an important assistant to Sir Garnet Wolseley in the Gold Coast, Zululand, the Transvaal, and in Cairo, where he assisted Wolseley’s attempt to relieve General Gordon at Khartoum. “Brackenbury was an able man, with considerable capacity for organization. He wrote well upon military subjects, and was a competent student of the art of war as it was known in the 19th century” (DNB).

Folding map in Volume II archivally repaired along fold. Lower corers of Volume II gently bumped. A very handsome pair of volumes in near-fine condition.