PORTRAITS OF THE GAME AND WILD ANIMALS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

An unusually good copy.

First edition, first issue: (vii) + 175 pages, folio (540 x 365 mm), hand coloured lithographic title page (dated 1840 as is the printed title page), 30 fine hand coloured lithographic plates drawn on stone by Frank Howard, printed on large (Columbier) paper with the lithographed chapter tail pieces, contemporary half dark red morocco (lightly worn at the top and bottom of the back), spine richly gilt decorated in panels, dark red cloth sides, marbled endpaper with cloth hinges, all edges gilt. 

Abbey (J.R.) Travel in Aquatint and Lithography 1779 – 1860, number 335, pages 287 - 290. ‘Published in five parts at £2. 2s. each part, on large (Columbier) paper, with tail-pieces, or at £1. 1s. each part of ordinary (Imperial) paper without tail-pieces. The book was finally published in volume form in 1843 at £10. 10s. (possibly in half morocco) and £5. 5s. respectively.’

Mendelssohn(S.) South African Bibliography, volume 1, page 688-9. ‘One of the most important and valuable of the large folio works on South African fauna….. In addition to the beautiful coloured engravings (sic) which render this work almost the most highly prized of the books relating to South African animals, every plate is accompanied by an exhaustive chapter upon the characteristics of the animal represented, as well as by a short sketch of its personal appearance.’

Czech (Kenneth) Bibliography of African Big Game Hunting Books 1785 -1999, page 119, One of the rarest of all books dealing with African big game and sport, this monumental presentation depicts wild game of southern Africa as encountered and studied by Harris. The tinted lithographs highlighted in colour by hand are especially lovely and make this volume exceptionally desirable. Included among the portraits are elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, lion, leopard, kudu, roan, eland, and quagga, among others. Each of the illustrations is also enlivened by scenic backgrounds of the habitat. The portraits are highlighted with Harris' detailed descriptions of the game, habitat, and with occasional mention of his hunting adventures.

London, Published for the Proprietor, by W. Pickering, Chancery Lane, and to be had of P. & D. Colnaghi, Pall Mall East; W. Wood, Tavistock Street, Covent Garden; T. Cadell, Strand.