Map of South Africa and Manual of Geography

This folded map is by Henry Hall RED whose pioneering contribution to South African Cartography and development of this map only recently has been described, thanks to Elri Liebenberg.

This lot includes the scarce, small 1859 companion Manual of Southern African Geography that Hall "intended for the Use of the Upper Classes in Government Schools and Candidates for the Civil Service".

"In 1856 Stanford’s Geographical Establishment in London published Henry Hall’s comprehensive Map of the Eastern Frontier of the Colony of the Cape Good Hope. Compiled from local authoritative information only, this map not only surpassed its predecessors in scale and  completeness, but also achieved a marked degree of accuracy. The map was used in Hall's next major contribution to the mapping of South Africa. In 1857, Hall became the first resident cartographer to publish a  map of the entire African region south of 16°S. Entitled  South Africa , this map was the first of its kind ever to be produced in  South Africa as not only the compilation, but also the engraving, printing, colouring and mounting were undertaken locally.

In 1859 Stanford’s published two additional maps  under Hall’s name: one of the subcontinent south of 25° 30’S entitled South Africa, and another entitled Map of South Eastern Africa from Algoa to Delagoa Bay. In spite of Henry Hall’s rightful claim to fame as South Africa’s foremost pioneer cartographer, little has been published on his cartographic work."

The map is is in very good condition and is presented in its original slip case which is in fine condition - a prior owner's name is inscribed on the label. 

This first edition of the map, also the first map to have been produced locally, is very seldom in the market. This map is essential to any serious collection of historical maps of South Africa. It is also presented with the scarce companion Manual of Geography, the small map in which has been professionally restored.