Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #115 begins on 30 May 2024

Farini (G.A.)

THROUGH THE KALAHARI DESERT

Published: Sampson, Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, London, 1886

Edition: First edition

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A Narrative of a Journey With Gun, Camera, and Note-Book to Lake N'Gami and Back.

475 pages, 2 portraits as frontispieces, 44 full-page and other illustrations, folding plan of 'The Hundred Falls of the Orange River', folding map, original pictorial green cloth over bevelled boards, titled gilt on upper cover and spine, bookplate on the front paste-down endpaper. The cloth is rubbed along the edges and faded on the spine, the top and bottom of the spine are chipped, the front hinge is cracked, the gathering comprising pages 305-320 is loose, a few pencil notations in the margins.

The bookplate is from the library of W.H. Coetzer who has added a note on the verso of the first frontispiece dismissive of Farini's writings about the 'Lost City' as well as about his observations concerning the 'Boer people'.

In contrast, Shane Peacock in his biography, 'The Great Farini, The Hire-Wire Life of William Hunt' (1996) writes, 'Farini was one of the more extraordinary African travellers. Born William Leonard Hunt in the backwoods of Ontario his life continued through many worldly adventures so numerous and unusual it seems incredible that one man experienced them all. He was the leader of the circus troup the Flying Farinis, the mastermind of the first human cannonball act, the inventor of folding theatre seats and the modern parachute, the creator of Africa's great myth of the Lost City of the Kalahari and a renowned botanist and artist.'

  • Binding Condition: Fair
  • Overall Condition: Good
  • Size: Size: 8vo (230 x 160 mm)
  • Sold By: Clarke's Africana & Rare Books
  • Contact Person: Paul Mills
  • Country: South Africa
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 021 794 0600
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Visa & Mastercard via PayGate secure links and Bank transfers.
  • Trade Associations: ABA - ILAB, SABDA


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