ISBN: 9780883590294

London:: John Murray, 1850., 1850. Two volumes. Large 12mo. xv, [1], 386; x, 370 pp. Half titles, frontis., vignette titles, 16 plates, map of South Africa. Bound in twentieth century fu… Mehr…

London:: John Murray, 1850., 1850. Two volumes. Large 12mo. xv, [1], 386; x, 370 pp. Half titles, frontis., vignette titles, 16 plates, map of South Africa. Bound in twentieth century full gilt-stamped calf with original decorative cloth binding mounted at rear; rebacked in cloth with decorative calf spine mounted, extremities rubbed. Ownership rubber ink stamped on front pastedown. Very good. First edition. Cumming a famous sportsman and hunter, recounts his tales of hunting and encounters with Africans. The dangers of a travelers' life is his theme, though he makes note of habits of wild game, the subsequent hunting of lions, elephants, hippopotamus, giraffe. . . , once he is on horseback and chased by a black rhinoceros, etc. Tobacco is used. A story of magic dice is told - worn by the Bechuanas and made of ivory (p. 376). A boa snake is encountered (pulling the reptile from its rock home, vol. II, p. 128), illness commands the fate of some - rheumatic fever and distemper claims the life of his horse, his companion Hendrick is eaten by a lion, etc. He boasts, "I was the first to penetrate into the interior of the Bamangwato country, and that my axe and spade pioneered the way, which others have since followed" (introduction). This book enjoyed immense success in its time, and made Cumming "the lion of the season". It was also issued in America at the same time and a second edition was also issued in 1850 (pagination differs slightly)., John Murray, 1850., 1850, 0, Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books, 1995. First American Edition/first printing. Hardcover. New/new. ISBN:0883590298. [4to] 192p. ill. (b/w&col_photos), maps. biblio. index. New in dj protected against wear and tear in Brodart Archival Mylar., Ralph Curtis Books, 1995, 6<