The Okavango River

Andersson’s first book, LAKE NGAMI, was published in London in a beautiful and expensive edition, but the American first edition was less impressive in every way. Then, with this, his second book, OKAVANGO RIVER, the London publisher took less care to produce an edition equally impressive to its edition of LAKE NGAMI, while the American publisher repented of its failure on its edition of LAKE NGAMI, and stepped it up for its first edition of OKAVANGO RIVER.

This first American edition is taller with a higher-quality cloth binding, and the illustrations are equally as nice as those found in the London edition. Additionally, this American first edition includes a colored folding map that is NOT found in the London first edition.

This copy with some wear to original publisher's cloth; varying degrees of foxing on the pages.

Andersson, "perhaps the most extraordinary visitor to Namibia in the 19th century" (Tonchi, p. 24), traversed the difficult country between South Africa and Namibia, obtaining "much valuable information" (Mendelssohn). A description of a hunting expedition through Namaqualand and Damaraland. Andersson intended to explore these countries right up to the Cunene or Nourse River, but the difficulties of the expedition, though encountered with indomitable courage, proved to be insuperable, and he had to turn back. He obtained, however, much valuable information, and his success as a hunter and collector was unique in this part of the continent. The coast-line of South-West Africa is carefully described, and there is an interesting account of the once-famed guano island, Ichaboe. (Wallis--Fortune My Foe 256-258).

Karl Johan Andersson was born on 4 March 1827 in Sweden. He was the illegitimate child of the British bear hunter Llewellyn Lloyd and Lloyd's Swedish servant.

Andersson grew up in Sweden. Early in his life he went on hunting expeditions with his father, experienced Swedish nature and started a collection of biology specimens.

In 1849 he departed for London, intending to sell his collection to raise money for travels around the world. In London he met with the explorer Francis Galton, with whom he organised an expedition to Southern Africa. On midsummer day in 1850 they arrived at the Cape of Good Hope and then travelled to Walvis Bay, in modern-day Namibia. They then trekked into the interior, at the time little explored by Europeans. They intended to reach Lake Ngami, but failed on that expedition.

Galton returned home to England, while Andersson stayed in the area and reached Lake Ngami in 1853. In 1855 Andersson returned to London, where he published his first book LAKE NGAMI, in which he describes his travels. He returned to Africa the same year.

Back in south west Africa, Andersson was hired as manager for mines in what was then called Damaraland and Namaqualand. However, he only held the position for a brief time, and continued his explorations. In 1859 he reached the Okavango River, an expedition that he recorded in his book THE OKAVANGO RIVER.

After his return, he travelled to the Cape, where he married. Andersson and his wife settled in Otjimbingwe (in modern central Namibia).

Andersson had repeated financial problems. Even though his main interests were exploration and natural history, he often needed to earn money through trade and hunting. He lacked the money needed to publish his books and Galton declined to lend him any.

Andersson ultimately launched several ventures in Damaraland, including a copper mining scheme. He was briefly elected Chief of the Damara in 1864, but he was severely wounded in battle against the Nama Hottentots.

In 1867, despite serious illness due to his battle wound, Andersson travelled north towards the Portuguese settlements in modern Angola, in order to establish a better trading route to Europe. He was unable to cross the Cunene River, so he had to turn back. His condition had worsened during his journey to the Cunene and, on the return journey, he died on 9 July 1867. He was buried by another Swede, Axel Eriksson.

After his death, Andersson's wife and children continued to live in Africa, in the Cape Colony. (Wikipedia and galton.org)

Posthumously, Andersson's father, Lloyd, published notes from some of his son's exploration and hunting expeditions in the book THE LION AND THE ELEPHANT, as well as Andersson's last book, NOTES OF TRAVEL IN SOUTH AFRICA.

This book is located in the USA. Shipping overseas will cost $45. We are happy to answer any questions: [email protected]