[AFRICA] [RACE SWITCHING] Zulukafferhövdingen Peter Hansens Liv Og Levnet. København: Gandrup & Co, 1874: Rare graphic story of 19th C Colonialism, Muslim Fighting, Race Switching & Murder

by (Hansen, Peter.)

Bizarre & violent tale of a (White) European who becomes “King of the Zulu” in a sideshow act…told in pictures & rhyming verse.

Hansen, Peter. Zulukafferhövdingen Peter Hansens Liv Og Levnet. København: Gandrup & Co, 1874. 32 leaves, printed on recto side only, illustrated; bound in cloth. Danish language.

A visually striking book written in verse form, the story follows the life of a wealthy young man whose world is turned upside down when he is conscripted into the French Foreign Legion and sent to fight in Africa. He faces many challenges, including killing his enemies, being captured by Arabs, being tied to a giraffe and chased by lions, and ultimately being rescued by a Zulu chief. The Zulu chief "paints" him with brown root so that he presents as a Zulu. Now identifying as a Zulu, Hansen establishes himself as a leader and sells an elixir of some kind. He returns to Europe where he performs as Chief of the Zulus in a traveling side show. The book ends with a dramatic and violent scene in which Hansen savagely beats and kills his former wife's new husband in their middle-class home. The final leaf of the book shows a classic family mourning pose around an engraved urn.

We admit to having difficulty translating, as good as Google is, so we may not have the story exactly right-but whatever it is it is certainly rare. OCLC shows 2 locations, both in Denmark. We found no copies on the market in any format, nor any historical record other than the publisher's notices for the title in book annuals during the 1870's & 1880's.

Please see images. Inquiries welcome. Thank you.
OCLC: 2 locations (Denmark)
Denmark DANISH UNION CAT & DANISH NATL BIBL DKDLA
Denmark ROYAL DANISH LIBR - COPENHAGEN CUL DKB