A BREATH FROM THE VELDT

Bulawayo: Books of Rhodesia, 1974. LIMITED AND NUMBERED First edition thus, the very fine facsimile reproduction of the first edition of 1895, identical to that edition but with opening preface and new portrait added. Illustrated as the original with a great profusion of specially produced full-page plates, textual illustrations and fine full-page gravures on special stock. Added for this edition is new portrait of the author and vignette title-page preceding those of the original edition which are also included. Large Folio, publisher’s white cloth, pictorially decorated just as the 1895 edition with sable and kudu heads and with titling in black on the upper cover and spine, t.e.g., housed in the original publisher's box with printed and decorated cover. [8], x, 236 pp. A very fine and handsome copy in the rare publisher's box, the cloth with just minor evidence of handling as should be expected of white cloth, the box with a little wear at the corners but still very attractive and useful. SPECIAL LIMITED FACSIMILE OF THE FIRST EDITION OF THIS BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED WORK BY MILLAIS. ONE OF THE BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOKS OF AFRICA. THIS COPY IN THE RARE PUBLISHER'S BOX. There were only 750 copies of this fine facsimile produced in total.
“South Africa, with its attraction for the sportsman and the naturalist, has already given birth to so many books by abler pens than mine, that some apology seems necessary for the appearance of these pages. Let me say then at once that though they are occupied in the main with dissertation on, and adventures in pursuit of big game, I have endeavored as far as possible to avoid trespassing on the domain of the standard authorities on this subject. My object has been rather t o supplement from personal observation what is already known of such animals as I came across during a recent tour in South Africa; to present to the best of my ability a true picture of life in that country, whether of man, beat of bird; and to give the sportsmen of that period what help I can as a guide to the hunting grounds and how to work them to advantage.
My drawing will no doubt be disappointing to admirers of the grim and gory, who know the lion only as presented in picture-books, with mane trailing on the ground, claws extended, and mouth full of blood and foam. Exception too may be taken by the uninitiated to the fantastic attitudes of some of the birds and beasts here represented. But that I cannot help. I have drawn only what I have seen, and as I have seen it, and it is not my fault if my subjects declined to display themselves in the approved conventional form.” From the Author’s Preface.