Pertaining to the Congo mission undertaken by Methodist minister J. T. Mangum of North Carolina, personal assistant to Bishop Walter Russell Lambuth. The expedition sailed from Antwerp, Belgium on November 8, 1913, landing in Matadi three weeks later. Their journey continued with a strenuous trek to the village of Luebo, some 900 miles inland from the Atlantic. This unique grouping documents the trip and is presented as follows: (21) linen-backed photographs variously of the missionaries and indigenous people. Each image is identified on the back in manuscript (11 x 15 in.) (Overall poor condition and showing various states of degradation with chips, splits and damp stains. Many of the images, however, are worthy of restoration, being professional prints with excellent detail and contrast); (9) native implements, to include (2) knives, a carved wooden pattern knife, a chisel, a machete with bone grip, (3) small tin blades and a carved wooden funnel (6.5 - 21 in.) (light rusting to all metal surfaces; aged patina to wooden elements; some items with manuscript ID tags and/or 1919 exhibition labels); A green hardstone effigy pendant of a man's head, drilled horizontally for suspension (1.5 in.); Autograph Letter Signed "W. R. Lambuth," 3 pages with cover addressed to Mangum, July 2, 1913, the writer outlines his itinerary and gives a synopsis of his career; Typed Letter Signed "Kate Harlan," one page, October 13, 1910, wishing Mangum "a safe journey to and from the Dark Continent..."

$500 - 1,000