Views of British North Borneo with a Brief History of the Colony,
compiled from official records and other sources of information of an authentic nature, with trade returns, &c., showing the progress and development of the Chartered Company's Territory. London William Brown & Co. 1899
First edition, oblong 4to (22 x 28 cm approx), pp.60, many illustrations to text, 2 maps. A very good copy bound in somewhat soiled original cloth, rebacked with later cloth spine.
An attractive illustrated account of what is now Sabah, compiled by the British North Borneo Company to promote investment in the state. The text details the Company's progress in North Borneo since 1882, with a brief history, geographical notes, and an outline of the region's resources and population. There is a detailed note on a proposed railway, with comparison to the railway recently constructed in Selangor. The final section lists all of the Company's officers, from the Court of Directors to the Protector of Chinese, N.B. Dennys and two postmasters, one at Sandakan and the other at Labuan. Letters took one month to reach Britain; telegrams could be sent more expeditiously. This directory of Company officers includes two pages of photographic portraits of the majority. Most of the illustrations are after photographs by Dr. Johnstone and A.J. West, Company officers. Several depict the Sultan of Sulu and his suite.