SALT (Henry). Voyage en Abyssinie entrepris... dans les années 1809 et 1810. Paris, Magimel, 1816; 2 vol. in-8 (200 x 125 mm), chalky glazed basane, ribbed spine decorated with fleurons and repeated gilt motifs, cherry calf title-piece and tomaison, cold-stamped roulette on covers, and an oblong atlas in-4 (300 x 232 mm; Paris, Dabo, 1816) paperback, pink paper covers (Binding and br. of the period). 8 maps and 25 plates after drawings by the author. First French edition. Salt had been sent to Abyssinia (Ethiopia), "one of the most difficult countries on earth to penetrate", in an attempt to negotiate a treaty of commerce for the benefit of the English government. His journey along the east coast of Africa took him through Mozambique, Zanzibar, Aden... before reaching Ethiopia. Everywhere he went, he described the antiquities, customs and wealth of the countries and analysed the political situation, internal strife and the state of trade. Important glossary of the dialects of the various tribes of the coast and interior of Africa (65 pp.). Very nice and fresh binding. Eating in one margin of the atlas without loss except for a small damage to the ext. frame of one map. Paper loss to cover of atlas.