387pp. Sixteen plates - one of Selous as frontispiece - all present. Publisher's blue cloth binding with gilt titles. Binding solid.
A unique copy, period-signed by the author John Guille Millais to British ornithologist and author Heatley Noble. Both men were close friends of F. C. Selous, the famous African Hunter, author, and Captain of the 25th Royal Fusiliers.
Millais was the son of the Pre-Raphaelite painter John Everett Millais. Like his father he was also an artist and illustrated his own books. He was the author of numerous works; but perhaps his most famous contribution to the libraries of Africana collectors is his book "A Breath from the Veldt", published in 1895.
This copy is inscribed on the front endpaper "To my friend Heatley Noble, with best wishes from the author, Dec 7th, 1918." Additionally there is a handwritten letter by the author to Noble written on the same day. It is neatly laid down on the front paste down.
"Dec 7th, 1918, Compton's Brow, Horsham
My dear Heatley,
I now send you the Life of Selous which will be published this week (illegible) but in spite of its many faults you will not find it uninteresting. Biography is NOT an easy task and when at work I have often felt only too conscious that I was not doing justice to our splendid friend. But here it is - (this line illegible). Will you be so kind as to send me a line of criticism when you have read the book. Yours very sincerely, John G. Millais."
Millais wrote the letter at Compton's Brow, his home in Horsham where he had a private museum filled with over 14000 natural history specimens.
Attached to the first blank pages are two newspaper cutting reviews of the book. Interestingly, there is a newspaper cutting on the death in the field of Selous and an image from the 'African World' of Selous in camp attached to the rear end paper. There is a neat ink inscription below the image (presumably in Noble's hand) which reads - 'In camp Xmas 1916. From the "African World'. Aug. 20th 1919.'
- Binding Condition: Good
- Overall Condition: Good
- Size: 8vo.
- Sold By: Rare Paper
- Contact Person: Armandt Marais
- Country: South Africa
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 0741235861
- Preferred Payment Methods: EFT, Bank Deposit. For International Customers: Paypal with 6% surcharge, International Transfer
- Trade Associations: A. A. Approved
