(London: Henry Sotheran, 1895).

IMPORTANT FIRST EDITION AND A BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED WORK BY MILLAIS. ONE OF THE BEST ILLUSTRATED BOOKS OF AFRICA. “South Africa, with its attraction for the sportsman and the naturalist, has already given birth to so many books by abler pens than mine, that some apology seems necessary for the appearance of these pages. Let me say then at once that though they are occupied in the main with dissertation on, and adventures in pursuit of big game, I have endeavored as far as possible to avoid trespassing on the domain of the standard authorities on this subject. My object has been rather t o supplement from personal observation what is already known of such animals as I came across during a recent tour in South Africa; to present to the best of my ability a true picture of life in that country, whether of man, beat of bird; and to give the sportsmen of that period what help I can as a guide to the hunting grounds and how to work them to advantage.
My drawing will no doubt be disappointing to admirers of the grim and gory, who know the lion only as presented in picture-books, with mane trailing on the ground, claws extended, and mouth full of blood and foam. Exception too may be taken by the uninitiated to the fantastic attitudes of some of the birds and beasts here represented. But that I cannot help. I have drawn only what I have seen, and as I have seen it, and it is not my fault if my subjects declined to display themselves in the approved conventional form.” From the Author’s Preface. Item #22065

First edition. With a great profusion of full-page plates, textual illustrations and fine full-page gravures. Folio, publisher’s original white polished buckram over boards with pictorial decorations and titling on the upper cover and spine, t.e.g. x, 236 pp. Some foxing to the prelims, otherwise internally bright and clean, externally some wear and darkening to the cloth, sturdy, a very attractive copy.