AFRICAE. DESCRIPTIO IX. LIB. ABSOLUTA.
Lugd. Batav. Apud Elzevir. 1632. Two volumes in one. 800, [16- Index] ]pp. Engraved title page [dusted]. Continuously paginated. Volume Two included in continuous pagination. 24mo. Modern brown morocco with gilt rules, raised spine bands. Very Good.
The first Elzevir edition. Wikipedia prints the author's biography. Born Al Hassan ibn Mohammed al Wazzan al Fassi in Spain around 4194, he was captured by Spanish corsairs while on a diplomatic mission and imprisoned. He was taken to Rome, where Pope Leo freed him, converted him to Christianity, and became his patron. He was baptised under the name Leo Africanus.
His book first issued in 1550. An English version was published in 1600. He is considered the person of African descent to write a book about the continent. Item #38531
Price: $600.00