“A lover of Africa” [Luke Howard (1772–1864)?].

Anecdotes of Africans.

London, printed for Harvey and Darton, 1827.

12°. xi, 88 pp.

Contemporary blue-green calf, covers blind-tooled with a floral border roll, the design echoed in gilt on the turn-ins and spine; edges marbled.

First and only edition of a remarkable collection of short accounts and moral anecdotes concerning African individuals and the horrors of slavery, written to encourage sympathy and reform. The pieces range from sketches of notable figures such as Job ben Solomon, Prince Naimbanna, Toussaint Louverture, and Major Laing, to brief moral tales illustrating compassion, cruelty, and integrity among Africans and enslaved people.

The preface is signed “A Lover of Africa.” The author remains unidentified, though the book’s moral tone and the Quaker publishers suggest possible connections with anti-slavery circles. Thomas Clarkson, who had a long association with Harvey and Darton, has been proposed as a possible author. A copy offered in a 2010 Michael Graves-Johnston catalogue bore a note by Francis Fry—the Quaker businessman and bibliographer—stating: “This is entered in my catalogue under ‘Anonymous’. The author I do not know, perhaps Luke Howard but it is uncertain.” Fry (1803–1886), best known for his bibliographical work on English Bibles, was active in anti-slavery efforts; Luke Howard (1772–1864), the Quaker meteorologist who classified cloud forms, also wrote abolitionist tracts and fits the moral and stylistic profile of the book.

Very rare. Only one copy traced at auction (Bonhams, 2004). No copies located outside England.

The extensive table of contents includes (inter alia):
Job Ben Solomon; Prince Naimbanna; Hanno and Zelida; The Little Negro Martyr; Conjugal Affection; Speech of a Slave at his Trial; Cutting off a Slave’s Leg; Sacrifice of his own Life by a Slave to Save that of his Master; The Negress America; Toussaint Louverture; African Politeness; African Agriculture; Favourable Disposition of the Africans to Adopt Improvement; African Hospitality; Pious and Happy Negro Beggar; Major Laing’s Interview with Be Seniera, King of Kooranko, etc.

Condition: spine worn, otherwise in very good condition.

Reference: Sabin 81849.