IN THE LAND OF THE LION

256 pp. Frontis., 88 b/w photographs. Green linen with gold embossing to the upper front and spine. Uncut pages, binding strong, some age marks to cover. Half title page browned and a little light foxing randomly throughout .

Inscribed as a Christmas gift in 1929 by Leslie Sprake, author of The Shooting man's calender (1927), to Ian (his god son). The book is part of a collection from the library of Ian Hepburn, in years past a director of Hunt, Leuchars and Hepburn).

"In the Land of the Lion" is a compelling exploration of the untamed wilderness of East Africa during the early 20th century. Written by pioneering wildlife photographer and naturalist Cherry Kearton, this work offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of the majestic animals that roam the African plains, with a particular focus on the king of beasts. Kearton moves beyond the traditional narratives of big-game hunting to capture the beauty and behavior of wildlife through the lens of a keen observer and conservationist.

The book details breathtaking encounters with lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, and various bird species, providing vivid descriptions of their natural habitats and social structures. Through Kearton's engaging prose, readers are transported to the vast savannas, experiencing the tension of the wilderness and the serenity of the African landscape.

Cherry Kearton (1871 - 1940) was born in Yorkshire, England and was one of the world's earliest wildlife photographers and writers. He published the first photographically illustrated bird book in the world and was one of the first naturalists to use a telephoto lens. In 1903, he took the first motion pictures of a wild bird and pioneered aerial photography. In Africa, he flew in the first aeroplane to appear there and showed East Africa the first film of its own fauna. Kearton made the authorised cinematic record of the Roosevelt safari released in 1910 as 'With Roosevelt in Africa'.

Edition:reprint of first ed October 1929. First run August 1929 

Reserve $50 Estimate $50 to $60