Five years of a hunter’s life in the far interior of South Africa
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1850. 12mo. xiv, 17-326; viii, 9-303, 6, 2 pp. First American Edition. Vol 1 with illustrated half-title, dedication; vol 2 with 1805 ownership inscription, illustrated half-title, and lists of other publications and reference texts. Both volumes bound in modern gray cloth, some minor spotting. Very good condition. Item #15144
CLASSIC OF AFRICAN BIG GAME HUNTING. First American edition of Cumming’s wildly successful and vivid narrative of his nomadic exploits in South Africa in search of wild game. Cumming was the first to venture into the interior of the Bamangwato country, paving the way for others to follow suit. In addition to his anecdotes of chasing lions, elephants, hippopotamus, giraffe, rhinoceros, and other large game, Cumming also describes the native landscape and tribes of the region, thus making this work an important contribution to the history of South Africa.
Cumming (1820-1866) was a famed Scottish hunter of large stature and great strength who rightly earned the nickname “The Lion Hunter” from his experience described in this work. On his way to join the Madras Calvary for the East India Company, Cumming had his first encounter with the sport in South Africa. Proficient as a youth in salmon fishing and deer stalking, Cumming was not able to return to South Africa until 1843 to hone his skills as a big game hunter.
Price: $500.00