Original Antique Book with original green cloth and image of zebra in gilt;  beetle in gilt to spine;  4 mounted photo-type plates, one folding facsimile letter, one large folding sheet in rear pocket. 
Uncolored as issued
8 vo (225 x 145mm)
Book # AAB-22
$ 500
 

Thomas Baines (27 November 1820 – 8 May 1875) was an English artist and explorer of British colonial southern Africa.  Baines was one of the earliest pioneers in that part of Africa now known then as Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe),  Baines is today best known for his detailed paintings and sketches which give a unique insight into colonial life in southern Africa.

Baines arrived in Cape Colony in 1842, and from 1848 to 1851 he accompanied the British army in the Xhosa Wars as an artist. At the recommendation of the Royal Geographic Society he was appointed artist to Livingstone's Zambesi expedition in 1858 and was with Livingston when Victoria Falls was discovered.   Ten years later he headed an expedition to explore the gold fields of Tati, providing a written description of the route from the capital of the Transvaal Republic.  His meticulous mapping and description of the regions he explored helped fill in the blank spots of earlier maps, and his descriptions of the gold regions helped open the path to prosperity for white South Africa. This is the first book to contain an account of the gold discoveries in the Transvaal. The ads at the rear, from firms in Algoa Bay and Port Elizabeth as well as London, give an interesting picture for a person considering migrating from London to South Africa in search of wealth.

The book contains numerous engraved views of southern Africa, taken from original drawing by Baines.  These include an early image of Victoria Falls (In 1858 Baines accompanied David Livingstone along the Zambezi, and was one of the first white men to view Victoria Falls), and one of "Great Zimbabwe" ruins (Ruins of Zimbaoe in the Land of Ophir).   

Original green cloth, image of zebra; central black-ruled panel of upper cover, beetle in gilt to spine, lettered in gilt;  pp. xxiv + 187 + 189-240 (advertisements); 4 mounted photo-type plates, one folding facsimile letter, one large folding sheet in rear pocket.   Owner’s signature of George S. Oettle on front end paper and as a stamp elsewhere in the book.  Baines' signature is immediately under the first photo-type plate.

Minor rubbing at the spine ends, else about fine condition; with mylar slipcover.  Clean and bright throughout.  Map is folded into a pocket inside the back cover.