By Frank Oates; C G Oates
London   Kegan Paul, Trench & Co
9" by 6" xlix, 433pp
A profusely illustrated, beautifully bound copy of this scarce and important travelogue regarding South Africa. Taken from the letters and journals of British naturalist, Frank Oates.
By Frank Oates; C G Oates

1889 Matabele Land and The Victoria Falls

London   Kegan Paul, Trench & Co
9" by 6" xlix, 433pp
A profusely illustrated, beautifully bound copy of this scarce and important travelogue regarding South Africa. Taken from the letters and journals of British naturalist, Frank Oates.
£3,000.00
: 1.5kgs / : 655L7

What Our Customers Say...

Description

Early Edition, Folding Plates, Illustrated, Leather Binding

The second edition of this work. The first edition lost many copies in a fire at the publishers, with this second edition not published until eight years later. This second edition sees an extended appendix. There are also slight additions to the narrative portion and extended footnotes on botanical points. The illustrations to this work are 'all from original drawings taken on the spot, or from the objects they purport to represent'. ''Some are from sketches by the late Frank Oates; the remainder- and these the larger number - from those of his brother W E Oates who accompanied him during a portion of his journey'. With a memoir of the author to the start of the work. Illustrated, with a frontispiece, six chromolithographs, thirty-nine woodcuts, fourteen coloured plates, and four folding maps. Collated, complete. To this work, Oates discusses the flora and fauna of this fine area in great detail, with accompanying illustrations. In particular, he describes the Baobab tree and many other natural sights that Europeans were not familiar with. This work is also one of the earliest accounts of Europeans witnessing the Victoria Falls. A truly lovely account of nineteenth century South Africa, adorned with stunning illustrations.

Condition

In a half calf binding, with cloth covered boards. Externally, smart with just some light rubbing to the joints. Slight fading to the gilt at the spine. Prior owner's bookplate to the front pastedown, Alfred Edward Moxon. Gift inscription to the recto of front endpaper, 'To Jim From Ralph 107 Alderney Street London'. Prior owner's notes to the rear pastedown. Internally, firmly bound, with just some light straining in places. Pages are bright, with just the odd spots to pages, heavier to the first and last few pages. Plates remain bright and crisp, with just the odd handling mark.

Very Good Indeed

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