HARRIS, William Cornwallis (1807-1848). Portraits of the Game and Wild Animals of Southern Africa. London: W. Pickering for the Proprietor, 1840.

HARRIS, William Cornwallis (1807-1848). Portraits of the Game and Wild Animals of Southern Africa. London: W. Pickering for the Proprietor, 1840.

First edition, first issue of a fine and large copy of this splendid account of South African fauna: part natural history study and part trophy-case. Captain Harris had from a young age "been afflicted with shooting-madness" (DNB). His name is, however, also attached to a handful of scientific papers published in the proceedings of the Zoological Society, Linnean Society, etc. The large colored plates are supplemented by uncolored, detailed physiological sketches at the end of each text chapter. "One of the most important and valuable of the large folio works on South African fauna ... In addition to the beautiful coloured engravings which render the work almost the most highly prized of the books relating to South African animals, every plate is accompanied by an exhaustive chapter on the characteristics of the animal represented'' (Mendelssohn). This is a remarkably fine copy of the first issue, with both titles dated 1840. Abbey Travel 355; Mendelssohn I, p. 688; Nissen ZBI 1843; Schwerdt I, p. 231; Tooley 247.

Broadsheet folio (581 x 417mm). Lithographed additional title with hand-colored vignette and 30 hand-colored lithographed plates by Frank Howard after Harris (a few minor marginal repairs). Later green half calf over cloth, spine gilt (minor scuffs and sunning). Provenance: Alpheus Fuller Williams (probably the mining engineer of Kimberley, S.A., 1874-1953; book label).

Pre-Lot Text
PROPERTY FROM AN EAST COAST COLLECTION