AFRICA FROM SOUTH TO NORTH
THROUGH MAROTSELAND
MAJOR A. ST. H. GIBBONS
LONDON: JOHN LANE, THE BODLEY HEAD
1904
First edition.
Gibbons set out to discover the main source of the Zambesi and define and map the regions. These two volumes provide excellent information on the terrain and rivers, as well as the peoples inhabiting the area. There is, however, relatively brief mention of sport on the expedition. Near the Okovango River, the author bagged buffalo, and, near the Kariba Gorge, he hunted rhino. After traversing the countryside northward to Khartoum, he proceeded to successfully hunt elephant and hippopotamus on the Nile. (Czech, Bibliography of African Big Game Hunting Books.)
The expedition carried out by Major Gibbons had the following objects in view :—
1. To determine the geographical limits of Liwanika's country.
2. To define the Congo-Zambesi watershed.
3. To discover the main source of the Zambesi.
4. To make a hydrographical and ethnographical survey of the whole of Liwanika's territory.
5. To study its resources and industrial possibilities.
6. To ascertain how far the Zambesi and her affluents could be utilised as navigable waterways.
7. To furnish the late Mr. Cecil Rhodes with such information as might be of assistance in the selection of a route for the projected trans-continental railway—more especially with reference to the crossing of the Zambesi.
The volumes afford a graphic account of the difficulties encountered in the prosecution of the journeys, together with much valuable information respecting Marotseland, and other parts of the continent of Africa, which at this period were, comparatively speaking, unexplored. (Mendelssohn, South African Bibliography)
22 x 15 cm. (8¾ x 5¾') Vol. 1. xix + 276 pp. Frontis + 33 plates + folding map. Vol. 2. xxi + 297 pp. Frontis + 26 plates + folding map in rear pocket. Top edges gilt.
Mixed condition. Vol. 1. good. Cloth faded and worn at the corners and on the spine. Previous owner's name stamp on both endpapers. Foxing throughout. Fore-edge of the folding map frayed, map missing from the pocket at the rear, all plates present.
Vol. 2. Very good. Previous owner's details on the front free endpaper. Some mild foxing to the preliminary pages. Archival tape repair to a tear in page 231. All plates and map present.
