xxiv, 240 pages: illustrations, portrait as frontispiece, advertisements, tables, facsimile letter (laid down), folding map in pocket on rear endpaper. (Rhodesiana Reprint Library; volume 1). Pictorial cloth with gilding, dust wrapper. Front free endpaper browned. Reprint of the 1877 edition.
In 1870 Lobengula, leader of the Matablele nation, granted Baines a concession to explore for gold between the Gweru and Hunyani Rivers. "Mr Baines was one of the earliest pioneers in that part of Africa now known as Rhodesia [present day Zimbabwe]. Unfortunately his backers in Europe failed to procure the necessary working capital for the exploitation of the venture, so the author missed making a large fortune. The volume is a most important work, and contains full information of every description upon the subject of the gold discoveries in Matabeleland and Mashonaland, with much curious knowledge of the inhabitants. The books also contains an account of the gold discoveries in the Transvaal [and] gives details of no less than nineteen routes from the various places in South Africa to the newly discovered goldfields". See Mendelssohn vol. 1, p. 71-72.
- Jacket Condition: Excellent
- Binding Condition: Excellent
- Overall Condition: Excellent
- Size: 22,5 x 15 cm
