****SOLD**** Sporting Scenes Amongst the Kaffirs of South Africa
First edition, first printing with 8 chromolithographed color plates & 1 black and white plate by Harrison Weir after drawings by the author. Rebound in half-leather with marbled endsheets. Bookplate of former owner to blank page after front free end page and before half-titlepage. Some signs of age and use, but overall handsome when handled and shelved.
"An account of hunting and sporting experiences in Kaffraria and Natal. The author joined a party of Boer hunters who were making an excursion into the plains under the Drakensburg mountains, near the sources of the Mooi river. He remarks on the wonderful eyesight possessed by these people and their contempt for the English as sportsmen. There is a good account of the natives with many notes of the fauna of the country." - Mendelssohn
****SOLD **** Sporting Scenes Amongst the Kaffirs of South Africa
by A.W. Drayson (Alfred Wilks)
1858 first edition, first printing, with 8 chromolithographed color plates & 1 black and white plate by Harrison Weir after drawings by the author.
This copy is in its original cloth. Signs of age and use, with wear.
"An account of hunting and sporting experiences in Kaffraria and Natal. The author joined a party of Boer hunters who were making an excursion into the plains under the Drakensburg mountains, near the sources of the Mooi river. He remarks on the wonderful eyesight possessed by these people and their contempt for the English as sportsmen. There is a good account of the natives with many notes of the fauna of the country." - Mendelssohn
This is a very rare book. It is missing 3 of the 8 illustrations, but they can be acquired in facsimile if you wish. The pages show age-related soiling, wear, staining. The book was once rebound and this binding is sturdy and tight, but the leather is showing wear to all corners. The spine has been polished and touched up. The overall condition is fair, but condition is not as important due to rarity. The book was once part of the Edinburgh Subscription Library.
**** SOLD ****
EARLY DAYS AMONG THE BOERS, or The Diamond Hunters of South Africa
Circa 1900 reprint edition, issued for sale to capitalize on the public's renewed interest in South Africa due to the Boer War that broke out in 1899.
Original red cloth, somewhat soiled and worn. Absolutely no foxing, which is uncommon for a book that lived in the United Kingdom most of its life. This book was imported to the USA recently.
Twenty (20) illustrations, some are full-page plates, by A.W. Cooper. Former owner signature to front paste-down dated 1901. Top page edges gilded.
This is a nice book for its age. Perfect for a collection of Africana.
This copy has had some minor repair-work done (gluing inner hinges, etc.). It is in Good condition, and considering scarcity, the detractions are not as important. A novel set in mainly South Africa. A game keeper leaves England for South Africa and a career with the Dragoons during the Caffre (Kaffir) Wars, the Cape Frontier Wars, the Amakosa (Xhosa) Wars.