THE WILD SPORTS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA; Being the Narrative of a Hunting Expedition from the Cape of Good Hope, through the Territories of the Chief Moselekatse, to the Tropic of Capricorn.
Pelham Richardson, Cornhill. 1844 London, 4th edn, 359pp, hand color frontis and title page and 24 hand-colored lithographs (26 total), fold-out map. A very good in original gilt stamped and blind stamped decorated red cloth with rebacked spine. Finding this 180 year old book in original binding is very hard. Item #001250
William Harris was the first to hunt in South Africa and to write about it. This is a splendid book with beautiful plates. Not only an important work because of the early hunting that Harris did, but also because of the quality of the production. Czech/Africa "While the first edition published in Bombay is scarce, the 3rd, 4th and 5th editions in particular are the most sought after of this famous African exploration and sporting work due to the wonderful colored plates of African game and scenery. Harris journeyed to the Meritsane River where he encountered a herd of quaggas and brindled ‘gnoos’ he estimated at 15,000 head. He bagged eland and was attacked by lion in the region. Crossing the Mariqua River, he hunted ostrich and white rhinoceros. Entering the Cashan Mountains, he collected elephant, then proceeded to the Limpopo Valley where he hunted buffalo and hippopotamus, with additional sport after giraffe, black rhinoceros, sable and lion. Harris’ work is valuable as it presents a detailed picture of the South African game fields prior to the growing pressure of civilization. A cornerstone title in the essential African sporting library."
Price: $2,250.00