Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #115 begins on 30 May 2024

Harris (William Cornwallis)

THE WILD SPORTS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA.

Being the narrative of a hunting expedition from the Cape of Good Hope through the territories of the Chief Moselekatse to the Tropic of Capricorn.

Published: Henry G. Bohn, London, 1852

Edition: Fifth (and Best) Edition

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Fifth (and best) Edition: 359 pages, hand coloured lithographic frontispiece, hand coloured vignette on title page, 24 hand coloured lithographic plates, folding map, bound in pebble-grained red cloth with gilt vignette of a rhino on the upper cover with blind decoration on both covers, decorative gilt on the spine, all edges gilt, a very good copy.

From the editor's note in the Struik Africana Reprint: This is not only a book about 'Wild Sports' but is a very interesting report of such important historical events as: The Great Trek; the massacre of Piet Retief and his party by Dingaan; the fall of Piet Uys in an abortive invasion of the Zulu territories; the death of Maritz; the annihilation of the Natal Settlers; etc.

The author and his party travelled by wagon and oxen to Grahamstown, Somerset, Graaff Reinet, New Lattakoo, through Griqualand and Bechuanaland, to Boksfontein, Cambellsdorp and Kuruman through the domains of the Matabele King and the Barolong country, and returned to Graff Reinet by the Vaal River Route.

He gives interesting accounts of the Matabele people and experiences with the Bushmen, Hottentots and other tribes. His stay with King Moselekatse is fully described and of great historical value. An interesting map ‘exhibiting the relative positions of the emigrant farmers and the native tribes’ is included.

Both the 4th and the 5th editions added the word Hunting prior to Expedition in the title

  • Overall Condition: A Very Good Copy
  • Size: 8vo (250 x 180 mm)
  • Sold By: Clarke's Africana & Rare Books
  • Contact Person: Paul Mills
  • Country: South Africa
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 021 794 0600
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Visa & Mastercard via PayGate secure links and Bank transfers.
  • Trade Associations: ABA - ILAB, SABDA


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