PORTRAITS OF THE GAME AND WILD ANIMALS OF AFRICA

London: W. Pickering, 1840[-1843]. First edition, large-paper issue, and issue with the addition of vignette engravings. Additional lithographed title-page with hand-colored vignette after Harris by F. Howard, 30 superb hand-colored lithographed plates after Harris by Howard, all plates are backed with linen, 30 uncolored lithographed tailpiece vignettes at the end of each section. Elephant folio (Approx. 21" x 16"), handsomely bound in contemporary half red morocco over marbled boards, the spine with tall gilt ruled raised bands creating 6 compartments, three of which are lettered in gilt, gilt ruling on boards, a.e.g. Additional title, title-page and last three leaves of text with some expert repair, one plate with expert repair affecting some of the image (mostly just sky), occasional and much smaller closed edge tears also neatly repaired, mild or typical spotting, some minor old staining, binding firm and very attractive and with some light rubbing to the morocco extremities. "One of the most important and valuable of the large folio works on South African fauna" (Mendelssohn I, p. 688), based on Harris' hunting expedition of 1836-37. Monumental and one of the grandest works on big game ever published. "In addition," Mendelssohn continues, "to the beautiful coloured engravings which render this work almost the most highly prized of the books relating to South African animals, every plate is accompanied by an exhaustive chapter upon the characteristics of the animal represented, as well as by a short sketch of its personal appearance, &c., and numerous engravings in the letterpress illustrate the notes" (pp. 688-89).
This copy with the List of Subscribers, which according to Tooley (247) is almost always missing. Additionally, the black and white vignettes at the end of each section, which are based on Harris’ own trophies, are only found in this issue.
Harris was the head of the mission sent by the British Government to open up relations with the Ancient Christian Kingdom of Shoa in the Ethiopian highlands. His success in this pursuit earned him a knighthood. He was as well, one of the earliest explorers to penetrate the highland country.
This is a scarce and magnificent work.