The Children of Africa. Written for all English-Speaking Children.

MARSTON, Annie Wright (1852-1937).

London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1886. [Christian-Colonial Ethnology] FIRST EDITION. Octavo (22 x 18cm), pp.viii; 262 [2]. With frequent engraved illustrations, and a large folding map of Africa to preliminaries. Publisher's blue cloth with elaborate gilt, orange and black titles and decoration to spine and upper. All edges gilt; dark brown endpapers. Black ink gift inscription to verso of fly-leaf, with a charming associated letter in the same hand on headed note paper dated January 1891. Hinges starting, but binding remains firm. Slightly toned, with a strong tobacco scent. A 3cm tear to map in the usual place where it joins the book. An attractive copy. Very good. Part of a series also including 'The Children of India' and 'The Children of China' written to promote the author's Children's Missionary Prayer Union. It attempts to give a broad overview of the history and people of the continent, while also promoting the idea of Christian Missionary activity there. Composed entirely from secondary materials, it inevitably repeats many slurs and stereotypes common to period, while also explaining and condemning the transatlantic slave trade. Item #57943

Price: £35.00