This etching contains original photographs taken by Colonel Young in Africa. These photos are extremely rare because they were taken by Charles Young at the turn-of-the-century. During that era, few African Americans were able to return to Africa and even fewer were able to make such significant contributions to both the United States and Africa as Charles Young did. The tree on the right in the etching is a Baobab, which has traditionally been one of the most sacred trees in many African cultures. Colonel Young died in Lagos, Nigeria in 1922. This etching is a tribute to his work in Africa.

Charles Young was recalled to duty after World War I and assigned, once again, as Military Attaché to Monrovia, Liberia in 1919.

However, two years later, while on leave from his post, he traveled to Nigeria to continue pursuing his passion for researching the history of ancient Africa.

While traveling to view - first hand - the ruins of the ancient city of Kano in Nigeria, Colonel Young became suddenly ill, and on January 8, 1922, he died.

The next year, because of the persistence of his wife Ada along with the African American community, his body was exhumed from its grave in Africa and returned to the United States for a hero’s burial.