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Description
SOLEILLET (Paul).
Travels in Ethiopia (January 1882 – October 1884). Notes, letters & miscellaneous documents.
Rouen: Espérance Cagniard’s Printing Works, 1886. — In-4, 257 x 197: (4 leaves, the first two blank), 347 pp., (2 leaves), printed cover. Red half-shagreen with corners, ribbed spine, gilt head, untrimmed, cover preserved (20th-century binding).
First edition.
The Nîmes-born explorer Paul Soleillet (1842–1886) is a little-known but fascinating figure. Although part of the colonial movement of his time, he stood out for his bold and humanist views: a deep respect for indigenous peoples, a categorical rejection of slavery, and a sincere belief in the possibility of friendship between Christians and Muslims. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he systematically sought to integrate into local communities, favouring diplomacy and friendly exchange to facilitate trade rather than coercion or domination.
Soleillet travelled through the Sahara, Senegal, Sudan and East Africa, but it is his final journey to Ethiopia, from January 1882 to October 1884, that is the subject of this publication. The book recounts, in the form of a diary, his journey from Obock to Ankobèr, then from Ankobèr to Sagallo, from 20 August 1882 to 1 August 1883, interspersed with chapters devoted to the Kingdom of Kaffa, the Oromo, the Gallas of Galane, the Kingdom of Choa and Ras Dargué. It was during this journey that Soleillet met Arthur Rimbaud.
The account is preceded by notes and various documents, as well as the report sent by Soleillet to the Minister for Foreign Affairs concerning the French possession of Obock and the Kingdom of Choa.
A complete copy of the errata sheet, attached at the front. The errors mentioned have been corrected in ink within the book.
A good copy.
Stains and tears to the cover. Scattered foxing.
Included:
- SOLEILLET (Paul). Obock – Choa – Kaffa. An Account of a Commercial Expedition to Ethiopia. Paris: Maurice Dreyfous, [1886]. — 18mo, the publisher’s illustrated red percaline, plain spine, gilt edges.
Partly original edition, largely reprinting the text of the previous work, but with the narrative ending on 15 January 1883.
Spine slightly faded, gilt lettering dull. Foxing.
- GROS (Jules). Paul Soleillet in Africa. Paris: A. Picard and Kaan, Maurice Dreyfous, [1888]. — In-8, blue percaline cardboard binding illustrated by the publisher.
First edition published in the ‘Bibliothèque coloniale et de voyages’ series, summarising Paul Soleillet’s explorations in Africa. It features a portrait of the author as a frontispiece, and several illustrations within the text and full-page plates by Genilloud, Massé and Notor.
The decorations on the cardboard binding are tarnished. Waterstains.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Claude Mozis Library – Black Africa and the African diaspora
Auction location
Auction time
10/21/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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