(AFRICA) AFRICANUS LEO Ionannis Leonis Africani Africae

Sale 2204 - Lot 102

Price Realized: $ 1,560

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Estimate: $ 1,000 - $ 1,500

A BEAUTIFUL COPY (AFRICA.) AFRICANUS, LEO. Ionannis Leonis Africani Africae. Engraved title-page. Two volumes in one with continuous pagination. 24mo, contemporary full speckled calf; spine gilt extra with red morocco label "Africa." Joints rubbed but firm. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 1632

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first elzevier edition of a work originally pubished in 1550. Leo Africanus, born Al-Hassan ibn Wassani, a slave in Granada of African descent, was well educated before his capture and enslavement. In fact, half of this book was written in Arabic before his capture. Leo was freed by Pope Leo X, a Medici, who converted him to Christianity and gave him his name. This book is considered to be the first descriptive book about Africa by a person of African descent. Blockson 101 Books by or About People of African Descent, Number 1.