Francois LeVaillant Traveller in South Africa and His Collection of 165 Water-colour Paintings 1781- 1784. by Quinton, J. C. and A. M. Lewin Robinson, et al. (Eds.)

Cape Town: Library of Parliament, 1973. First edition, ‘No. 293 of an English edition limited to 2500 copies, of which Nos. 1- 250 are bound in full blue calf’. Two volumes (pp. xx, 172, plates; xiv, 181, bibliog., index, plates). Folio (31 cm) in navy blue cloth with gilt titles. The text of Volume I comprises a biographical sketch of LeVaillant by Matthys Bokhorst, an account of LeVaillant’s two journeys in southern Africa by Vernon Forbes, commentaries on Le Vaillant’s representation of various indigenous groups’ culture, and an evaluation of LeVaillant as an ornithologist (He wasn’t perfect).  The text of Volume II focuses on LeVaillant’s watercolours with commentary by Jurgens Meester, S. H. Scaife, and  P. G. Jordaan. Bokhorst contributes remarks from the perspective of the history of art. The work includes an extensive bibliography with notes on Le Vaillant’s African works by A. M. Lewin Robinson. The colour plates (about 30 cm x 20 cm), the principal feature of the work, include portraits of  indigenous people as well as those of birds, giraffes, snakes, and flowering plants. They are supported by maps and other illustrations all produced to a high standard.  A light scratch or two, light rubbing here and there, a worn tip, spotted top edges. Near fine binding, text and plates fine.  See also our Book No. 1418,

LeVaillant, Francois. Travels into the Interior Parts of Africa. By the Way of the Cape of Good Hope; in the Years 1780, 81, 82, 83, 84, and 85.