Travels into the Interior of Southern Africa, 2 Volumes

Barrow was attached to the staff of one of the governors of the Cape Colony during the first occupation by the British. He accompanied expeditions from Cape Town to Graaff-Reinet, and another to Namaqualand, and gives excellent descriptions of the country he traversed, as well as of the botany and zoology. He provides significant evidence of the alleged brutality of the Boers to their slaves and Hottentot servants, and there is a description of the characteristics, habits, and customs of the various native tribes. The second volume deals with the importance of the country from a military and naval perspective.(from Mendelssohn South African Bibliography)

2 volumes, xvi,(i) 427 + 272 pages and directions for the Placing of the Plates at the end of volume II. 8 hand-coloured aquatint plates by Samuel Daniell in vol 1; large folding map coloured in outline, 8 folding charts and plans, 2 of which are hand-coloured in vol 2. Most of the maps, though in good condition, have tears along the folds, one of the maps is torn completely across one of the folds without loss. There is some usual offsetting from the outlines of the charts.

In original contemporary full calf, richly decorated with gilt on spine, but somewhat worn and scuffed, the hinges are cracked but still holding well. Vol 1 has the frontis almost adrift but still holding; pencil marginalia in both volumes. Vol 2 has p 372 loose. The front covers bear a black, gilt edged label "Agent for the Government of the Cape of Good Hope". There are two bookplates and one name on front endpapers. The textblock is clean and the pages and plates bright.