Beschreibung:

SMITH, Sir Andrew (1797-1872). - Instructions for the expedition into central Africa from the Cape of Good Hope, 23d June 1834. Cape Town: G. Greig, [no date but 1834]. 8° (235 x 150mm. approx). Title (verso blank), pp.[1]-10 text. Unopened. Unbound, uncut. Provenance : Jardine Library, Cape of Good Hope (blind stamps to title). Mendelssohn I,p.326. Sir Andrew SMITH. Report of the expedition for exploring central Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope, June 23, 1834, under the superintendence of Dr. A. Smith Published for the subscribers only. Cape Town: printed at the Government Gazette Office, 1836. 8° (213 x 130mm). Collation: [A]-D 8, E 2 (title [verso blank], pp.[3]-68 text). (Old creasing, title and verso of final leaf soiled). 20th-century green half morocco, spine gilt. Provenance : Sir James Edward Alexander (1803-1885, presentation inscription to:); The Royal Geographical Society (inscription 'For the Royal Geographical Society 21 Regent St. From Jas. Edwd. Alexander...', two early ink stamps on title). Mendelssohn I,p.326. TWO 'EXCEEDINGLY SCARCE' (Mendelssohn) pamphlets concerning the expedition to the territories beyond the boundaries of the Cape colony: they left on 12 August 1834 and travelled via the Orange River to the Basuto country, and from there through Bechuanaland to Kuruman. The expedition was led by Sir Andrew Smith - 'the father of South African Zoology'. The first work lays out what is expected of Smith and the expedition by the subscribers who provided the financing for the expedition. The second work is the initial report published on Smith's return (and here inscribed by the man that Smith forestalled - Alexander had intended to explore the area that Smith investigated). In this work, Smith outlines 'what had been achieved, [and at the same time] the amazing collections of natural history and ethnological specimens and the excellent drawings of scenery and native and animal life by Charles Davidson Bell and George Henry Ford [were]... publicly exhibited' (DSAB I,p.733). Together with: Central Africa. Abstract of Proceedings drawn up for publication by the Managing Committee of the Cape of Good Hope Association for Exploring Central Africa. Cape Town: George Grieg, 1833 8° (193 x 120mm.) uncut, disbound, green cloth folding case. Ladler 537. (3)