Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #128 begins on 15 Jan 2026

Campbell (John)

TRAVELS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Undertaken at the Request of the Missionary Society

Published: Printed for Black and Parry, London, 1815

Edition: Second Edition

Reserve: $75

Approximately:

Estimate: $100/125

Bidding opens: 15 Jan 16:30 GMT

Bidding closes: 22 Jan 16:30 GMT

Ships from: South Africa

Lot 74 preview

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Second Edition, corrected: xv, [1], [I index to plates], 400 pages, frontispiece portrait, 8 plates – 1 folding, folding map, original grey paper covered boards with a new green cloth spine without titling, edges uncut, light foxing.

Dictionary of South African Biography, volume 3, pages 127-8: ‘Upon the death of Dr J.T. van der Kemp the London Mission Society sent Campbell to South Africa to visit and report on their mission stations. Campbell was the first missionary traveller to undertake a long journey into the interior, visiting far-flung missions. From Bethalsdorp he went to Graaff Reinet where he met the traveller W.J. Burchell. Finally after crossing the Orange River he reached Klaarwater mission station and advanced to Lattakoo and beyond, north-west of Malapeetze. When he was returning from this first journey of 4,800 kilometres, Campbell followed the South Bank of the Orange River for 960 kilometres, 480 kilometres on foot, in a region little known to Europeans. Having reached Pella he turned south via Silwerfontein where Cornelius Kok lived and where he received valuable information about Namaqualand, Damaraland and the Bushmen. He also brought back natural history and geological specimens for the L.M.S, museum.'

  • Overall Condition: Very good
  • Size: 8vo (230 x 150mm)


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