Search Results: Southern African Exploration from Springbok Books

"This volume reproduces the South African poems published [earlier in 1824] in EPHEMERIDES, and others which appeared in various periodicals to which the author was an occasional contributor. The NARRATIVE OF A RESIDENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA is published for the first time, having been delayed owing to Mr Pringle's duties as 'Secretary to the Society for the Abolition of Slavery throughout the British Dominions.' "
Handsomely rebound in full leather, with all page edges gilded. See the photos for more details. This volume is complete and has some age-related faults, but is the nicest copy on the market, and a rare first edition.

2 Volumes, rebacked preserving much of the original cloth
Originally published in 1849, this set is the 1850 edition, This set is not plagued by foxing.
In 1846 Napier was sent to the Cape with other special service field officers to organize the native levies, and commanded bodies of irregulars during the Kaffir war of 1846-1847.
An account of the Cape Colony from the earliest period of settlement down to the Kaffir War of 1876-7. The work is a critique of the British Government in the Cape and the original draft was, according to the author, rejected by several publishers on the grounds that it was too outspoken on the failures of its subject.
A history of the Cape of Good Hope Colony, its inhabitants, religion beliefs, and how to deal with the Convict systems in Southern Africa. The author also proves who started the Kaffir war.

This 2-volume First edition, published in 1838, is extremely rare.
2 volumes, engraved frontispieces in each volume, folding map, 6 engraved plates and 7 engravings in the text, original blind stamped blue straight grained cloth, titled and decorated gilt on the spines, edges uncut, original endpapers intact, bookplate on each front paste-down endpaper and a corresponding small stamp on the front free endpages, light offsetting of the frontispieces onto the title pages. The books are canted. See the images to confirm condition.
Mendelssohn (S.) South African Bibliography, 1:20-21: 'He proceeded to Namaqualand and Damaraland, which countries were very little known at the time. Leaving Cape Town in 1836, he traversed these regions in an ox wagon, and went through a large part of South West Africa arriving at Walvisch Bay almost exhausted with the difficulties of travel and want of water. He succeeded in obtaining a good collection of zoological and other specimens, many of which were at that time… Read More

First edition. Two Volumes: Frontispiece portrait of the author in volume 1 (an actual sepia photograph is mounted), engraved frontispiece in volume 2, numerous illustrations on plates as well as in-text, folding map at the end of volume 2 with the author's route indicated in red.
The images I have provided demonstrate the condition of these volumes, which have signs of use and wear and age to the original decorative publisher's cloth binding. Black-coated endsheets are cracking at top of front inner hinges. Some foxing in early and late pages. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me for more details or images.
NO OTHER COPY IN ORIGINAL CLOTH BINDING FOR SALE ANYWHERE ELSE AT THE TIME OF LISTING
Mendelssohn (Sydney) South African Bibliography, volume 1, pages 812/3, 'Mr. Kerr remarks that he did not carry out "an expedition in the accepted meaning of that term," observing, "My journey was under- taken alone ; I was unaided, and had no companionship of white men, neither had I a corps of regularly… Read More

The edition offered here is the only one issued with color lithograph plates, and is rare. 12 chromolithograph plates. David Livingstone (1813-73) undertook three great journeys through Africa, exploring vast regions unknown to Europeans. Appalled at the terrible effects of the slave trade on African life, he became a fierce abolitionist. His "Missionary Travels" was first published in London, 1857, and in Philadelphia the following year.

Sturdily rebound first edition. Complete with four color chromolithographs, one monochrome plate, and four in-text engravings, plus colored folding map. Galton traveled and explored with Charles John Andersson.
Francis Galton's brilliant travel account of his time spent exploring the Tropics of South Africa. At the time of this expedition South West Africa was still little explored, with his vivid account filling in the gaps of knowledge relating to the areas between the Cape Colony and the western Portuguese settlements, and towards Lake Ngami. Galton travelled in a party of nearly forty men. Galton was a noted polymath, a proponent on social Darwinism (Galton and Darwin were cousins)

This is a very rare book in original cloth binding, with gilt to spine and blindstamp to boards. See the photos, which provide the best details about condition. Cloth at spine heel splitting, and other wear as expected for a book from 1855.
A missionary's account of the Kaffir war of 1850-2. [The Reverend] Brown was stationed at Igqibira, a small missionary settlement which had been partially destroyed in a previous Kaffir outbreak. Although hostilities broke out almost at the outset of his residence at this place, he remained there for a considerable period, but eventually the station was destroyed, the author escaping to Chumie.

2 volumes. First Edition. Illustrated with 4 stone lithographic plates including the only eye witness portrait of Chaka Zulu and a folding map of Port Natal.
A very good set
"Nathaniel Isaacs's account of Natal and Zululand is unique and, as the historian Theal remarks, "a very interesting book, indispensable to a student of early events in Natal". For it is to Isaacs that we owe, not only an observant eyewitness's accurate description of the Zulu people before they came under European influence, but the only comprehensive account written at first hand, from day to day , of the history of the savage king Chaka..."...Apart from its merits as an invaluable historical source Isaacs; book is a record of exciting adventures among a people to the greater number of whom the sight of a white man was a source of wonder." - From the dustjacket of a modern edition.
"The travels of Nathaniel Isaacs is as fascinating as Robinson Crusoe." Ian Colvin.
Isaacs was the first Jew to live in Natal and left an outstanding… Read More

James Chapman's TRAVELS IN THE INTERIOR OF SOUTH AFRICA, Comprising Fifteen Years' Hunting and Trading; With Journeys Across the Continent From Natal to Walvisch Bay, and Visits to Lake Ngami and the Victoria Falls1868 Bell & Daldy, London, First Edition: 2 volumes. These original first editions are very, very rare.
NO OTHER COPY FOR SALE ANYWHERE ELSE AT THE TIME OF LISTING
The folding map is facsimile. The outer cloth hinge of volume 2 has a split from the middle of the left to the heel and half way across the spine, as can be seen in the photos. The images I have provided demonstrate the condition of these volumes, which have signs of use and wear/tear and age to the original decorative publisher's cloth binding and inner hinges. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me for more details or images. The photos are part of the description, so study them carefully, as they are very helpful, and of the actual books being sold.
Chapman travelled some with Thomas Baines and also crossed paths with… Read More

Original cloth. Some splitting outer hinges, and spine ends. A very rare first edition. See the photos, which provide the best information about condition.

You will not find a cheaper first edition anywhere else.2-volume set bound into a single volume, 1822 first editions
Only one of the illustrations is an original hand-colored aquatint, all of the others are facsimile reproductions, for a total of 12 illustrations. The large folding map is a facsimile. 2 leaves of text are also facsimile. This book was formerly in the Johannesburg Public Library (South Africa) collection.
John Campbell (1766-1840) was a Scottish missionary and traveler. He was passionate about Christian philanthropy, which led to his founding of the Magdalene Society in 1793 and the Missionary Magazine (Edinburgh) in 1796. He travelled to preach in neglected villages, promoting the establishment of Sunday schools. The Magdalen Asylum to help prostitutes in England and Glasgow, founded by Campbell, was one of several societies he created to help those in need. He opposed the slave trade and became involved in the Society for the Education of Africans. Through collaboration with James… Read More

The first British edition 1839
Contents complete with all plates present and fold-out map at rear. The ORIGINAL publisher's binding is still in very good condition with only age-related wear and staining to bottom corners of cloth, and pastedowns and 2 or 3 leaves in front and at end. We have never seen a nicer copy of this edition. Foxing is NOT plaguing this copy.
For its age the book is in very good condition.
From the editor's note to the Struik Africana Collectanea reprint:
'This is not only a book about 'Wild Sports' but is a very interesting report of such important historical events as: The Great Trek; the massacre of Piet Retief and his party by Dingaan; the fall of Piet Uys in an abortive invasion of the Zulu territories; the death of Maritz; the annihilation of the Natal Settlers; etc.
'The author and his party travelled by wagon and oxen to Grahamstown, Somerset, Graaff Reinet, New Lattakoo, through Griqualand and Bechuanaland, to Boksfontein, Cambellsdorp and Kuruman through the domains… Read More