Antique c.1890 ‘Lives & Discoveries of Famous Travellers’ by Robert Cochrane - David Livingstone, Stanley et al.

Such a beautiful antique book, Lives & Discoveries of Famous Travellers, compiled by Robert Cochrane and published in Edinburgh by W. P. Nimmo, Hay & Mitchell, circa 1890.

Telling the stories of some of the great explorers of the 19th century, including David Livingstone, Sir Samuel White Baker, Henry M. Stanley and Major Serpa Pinto, with wonderful illustrated portraits throughout.

The deep green cloth-bound cover is especially lovely, with ornate silver floral decoration and gilt lettering. Inside is perhaps my favourite detail - an original school presentation label showing that the book was awarded to Edward Honeybill in 1905 as a reward for “Punctual and Regular Attendance”. A little piece of somebody’s history still tucked inside over 120 years later.

In lovely antique condition with plenty of age and character. There is some expected wear and marking, and the first illustrated/title page section has begun to come away from the spine at the bottom, so it should be handled with a little care. Please see photographs for condition.

A really special old book, beautiful simply displayed on a shelf or coffee table, but even lovelier for the little story it carries with it.