SMITH (ANDREW)


Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa; Consisting Chiefly of Figures and Descriptions of the Objects of Natural History Collected during an Expedition into the Interior of South Africa, in the Years 1834, 1835, and 1836; Fitted Out by "The Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa", 5 vol. [Mammalia; Aves; Reptilia; Pisces: Invertebratae], 279 mostly lithographed plates (all but a few hand-coloured) after George Henry Ford, errata leaf in "Reptilia" and "Mammalia" volumes, later half morocco, gilt red morocco spine labels, spine ends worn [Mendelssohn II, p.327; Fine Bird Books, p.143; Nissen ZBI 3868 & IVB 880; Zimmer p.593, "many new species of birds are described herein"], 4to, Smith, Elder, [1838]-1849
|"This handsome and valuable work gives full particulars of the natural history subjects of South Africa, collected by Dr. Andrew Smith's expedition" (Mendelssohn), which explored... parts of Cape Colony, Natal and "Kaffirland". The plates, "of a very high order", were mostly executed by George Ford "from specimens either living or recently dead" (Preface).Provenance: Claremont House, Oudtshoorn, South Africa, blindstamp on titles.