Travels into the Interior Parts of Africa by way of the Cape of Good Hope, in the Years 1780, 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85 [with] New Travels into the Interior Parts of Africa

8vo [21.5 x 13 cm]; 5 volumes, xii, 395; [ii], 403, [i, plate list, errata]; li, 288; iv, 383; iv, 488 pp, 34 copper engraved plates including folding, frontis & the plate of the Hottentot woman which was suppressed from most copies, without the map. contemporary full tree calf, gilt borders on covers, gilt decorated spines, gilt lettering on black leather labels, some joints cracked but firm, internally a few light stains but mainly free of foxing, lightly chipped spine end, very good set, clean. A p Mendelssohn, I, 889, 890: 'His description is unique for this period, as little information respecting these regions had been published up to this date'. This a complete set of the author's first journey in Southern Africa, together with his second journey in three additional volumes, describing his travels to Algoa Bay and the district then known as Bruyntes Hoogte via Mossel Bay, through the Camdeboo country and crossing the Gamka, Buffalo, and Touws Rivers. The second expedition was to Namaqualand, Damaraland, Bechcuanaland and the Kalahari Desert. It provides an interesting and early narrative of South Africa at a time when it was little known. This is the best edition with all the plates including of giraffes, which were little known then, the local people, and several views including a view of the Cape and the town from a ship, a folding view of an encampment. Wood 433, 434. His many references to birds and animals became useful primary sources for many later works by other authors. A classic work on African travel.