Encyclopedia Of Exploration To 1850

Raymond John Howgego

Editions

Review

Published in Australia, this magnificent  work had little attention in the British press.  Vol 1 goes up to 1800; vol 2 to covers the period 1800 - 1850.  Besides the individual entries themselves, the production is remarkable for the bibliography that follows each entry.  Thus, for example, with Vasco da Gama, there are three separate entries.  The first covers Africa & India 1497-99: 2 columns of biography are followed by 1 column of "Early Sources & Primary Documents" and another column of "Other Sources: Da Gama's First Voyage".  Entry B is Mozambique & India, 1502-03 (1 column of biog, half a column of bibliog).  Entry C - East Africa & India (1524) - consists of a short biographical note follwed by nearly 2 more pages of bibliography.  Although expensive, this is a landmark work, beautifully produced. - review by Johnny de Falbe