Rare Africana: original hand-coloured aquatint print from the 8th Frontier War, 1852

South African Army, Cavalry Brigade, Composed of the 12th Royal Lancers, Royal Artillery & C.M. Riflemen. Crossing the Great Orange River, Dec 1852.

Large original hand-coloured antiquarian aquatint engraving by J Harris, published by Rudolph Ackermann, London, 1854, after a painting by Henry Martens (British military artist, 1790 to 1868), after a sketch by Captain Carey of the Cape Mounted Rifles.

South African Army, Cavalry Brigade, (Composed of the XII.th Royal Lancers, Royal Artillery & C.M. Riflemen, Crossing the Great Orange River, December 1852. To Lieut. Genl. The Hon.ble Sir George Cathcart, K.C.B. &c. &c. &c. This Print is respectfully dedicated by his obliged & obed.t Servant, Rudolph Ackermann, 191, Regent Street. Painted by H.y Martens, From a Sketch by Lt. Col. Carey, Cape Mounted Rifles. Engraved by J. Harris.

Oblong folio, backed onto card, glazed and framed. The image area alone measures 41 x 60 cm, not including the caption and margins.

Not examined out of the frame. Some discreet minor repair. Generally, in good antiquarian condition.

A beautiful and evocative image.

Literature: S. Mendelssohn, South African Bibliography, volume I, page 986; R. F. Kennedy. (1976) Catalogue of Prints in the Africana Museum, Johannesburg, numbers M22 to 25. 

This is one of a series of five hand-coloured prints by Martens, depicting scenes during the Frontier Wars. This print relates to the Eighth Frontier War, 1850 to 1853.

Grosvenor Prints of London asks 1,500 pounds Sterling for this print on its own.

Sir George Cathcart GCB (1794 to 1854), the publishers dedicatee, was a British general and diplomat. He was Governor of the Cape from 31 March 1852 to 26 May 1854.

Please note that I was unable to avoid shadows appearing in the glass when I photographed this item.