Rare Book Monthly
Book Catalogue Reviews - March - 2006 Issue
African and Other Travels from Allsworth Rare Books
Lord George Sanger and his lions
In 1871, most men believed a woman's place was in the home. Alexandrine Tinne would have none of that, but she probably should have. Item 172 is the story of her travels: The heroine of the White Nile or, what a woman did and dared. A sketch of the remarkable travels and experiences of Miss Alexandrine Tinne. Tinne, a Dutch heiress, traveled to Central Africa in 1861. She brought along her mother, aunt and maids. In 1863, she met up with a Dr. Steudner in Khartoum. Dr. Steudner, Miss Tinne's mother, aunt, and two maids all died from malaria on the trip. Undaunted, she returned in 1869, arriving in Tripoli with intentions of exploring the land of the nomadic Taureg people. Evidently, the Taureg were not that pleased to see Miss Tinne as they murdered her. William Wells' biography of this brave but unfortunate woman is priced at £275 (US $479).
Item 73 offers a warning to travelers to India, at least those who visited in 1882. The title, by Major E.J. Gunthorpe, is Notes on criminal tribes residing in or frequenting the Bombay Presidency, Nerar, and the Central Provinces. Apparently, certain tribes had manners of relieving travelers of their money, if not their lives. One chapter describes the practice of "professional poisoners." They would poison cart drivers, steal their goods, and then leave the body under a blanket by a tree on the side of the road. It would look as if the driver had just stopped to take a nap. When it was discovered that the driver was dead, people would assume that he had just died in his sleep. £550 (US $959).
It was an exciting event early in the life of Winston Churchill, one which would help build his reputation, though leave him less than admired by a comrade. Churchill was a war correspondent traveling by train in South Africa during the Boer War in 1899 when the Boers derailed his train. Churchill helped many British on board escape, but he, along with Captain Aylmer Haldane and others, were captured. They quickly plotted their escape, and one evening, Churchill, Haldane, and another man made their attempt. Churchill got over the fence, but the others were not successful. The future British Prime Minister took off, but Haldane felt he should have waited for the others. Haldane bore a grudge over the incident, although its questionable that Churchill could have waited for long once across the fence. Guards stopped Haldane, who eventually succeeded in escaping the Boers three months later. Haldane's account of the escape is found in How we escaped from Pretoria, published in 1900. £300 (US $524).
Lord George Sanger's circus was perhaps the most famous of all of the 19th century circuses. He is credited with devising the three-ring circus, a format adopted by the leading American practitioners such as P.T. Barnum. His wife had performed before their marriage as the "Lion Queen," and caged lions, accompanied by a caged human, was part of the draw. Item 108 is two photographs from his circus, circa 1890s, including one of the dapper Sanger inside the lions' cage. £250 (US $436).
You may find Allsworth Rare Books online at www.allsworthbooks.com, phone number +44 (0) 7884-054114.
