Berlin, Dietrich Reimer (Ernst Vohsen), 1904. 8vo (20.8 x 14.5 cm). xiii, 394 pp.; 37 photographic illustrations on 30 plates; one very large, full-colour folded map. Original printed cloth with photographic vignette mounted on the front board. Marbled endpapers, marbled edges.

A very rare early account of the anthropology and the geology-topography of German New Guinea (Kaiser-Wilhelmsland and Bismarck Archipelago), now northern Papua New Guinea, New Britain, and Bougainville, Solomon Islands. The very large, detailed map is certainly the best of the region in this period, despite the fact that most inland regions are still blank. An interesting feature is formed by the many German toponyms, which were later replaced by, mainly, English names. The plates mainly show people. Heinrich Albert Schnee (1871-1949) was a German lawyer, politician, and civil servant. He served as vice-governor of German New Guinea (1898-1904), was also the last governor of German East Africa (1912-1919), and after 1932 a high-ranking Nazi. Unsurprisingly, he remained a staunch defender of German imperialism. Some rubbing to the spine, interior clean, unmarked; The all-important map is in an excellent, clean, and fresh condition. Not in Cat. BM(NH).