Out of the Beaten Track. A narrative of travel in little known Africa ([1931])

In his introduction, Dr G M Vevers, superintendent of the London Zoological Gardens, wrote that "C T", as the author was known, had been, since before the first world war, "the genuine article in big game hunters", although "a strong advocate of shooting with the camera rather than with the rifle".

"The chapters on the African elephant are full of new and interesting information; the fruit of accurate and painstaking observations won, in many cases, at great risk to life and limb. It is comforting to know that the legends that elephants never go to sleep lying down and that they all go to one cemetary to die have at last been definitely discredited by such a reliable authority."

Accompanying the author on his later expeditions, which included the first south-to-north crossing of Africa in 1928 by "motor-lorry", were his young wife, Stella (to whom this book is dedicated), and her brother, Errol Hinds, who although then still in his late-teens was the cameraman, writer and editor of the film on this crossing; later becoming a well-known director and producer at the South African Information Service and the National Film Board.

This is a very good copy of a classic of East African adventure in the 1920s. Unmarked maroon cloth gilt covers, broad blind ruled at the upper panel, spine barely faded, corners slightly bumped. Binding tight and square. No ownership or other marks. Light foxing early and late and to the page edges. Frontispiece, 45 other inserted plates, map and 288 pp of text and index.