Travels into the Interior of Southern Africa by John Barrow

Title: Travels into the Interior of Southern Africa (2 Vols)
Subtitle: In which are described the Character and Condition of the Dutch Colonists of The Cape of Good Hope, and of Several Tribes of Natives Beyond its Limits etc.
Author: John Barrow
Publisher: T. Cadell and W. Davies
Date Published: 1806
Publication Place: London
Condition: Very Good
Binding: Full Calfskin, Rebacked
Dimensions: 4tos, 27.5cm x 22cm

Vol 1 - xvi+427pp
Vol 2 372pp

The second edition, with additions and alterations, most notably the 8 coloured engravings by Samuel Daniell in volume 1. Rebacked, with 5 raised bands, titles and decorations in gilt. Marbled edges and endpapers. Bookplate to paste down and free endpaper of each volume. Linen reinforcement to gutters.

Volume 1 very good indeed, very little foxing and only some slight offsetting of the charts as usual. Volume 2 in similar condition, but with stronger offsetting, especially the Military Plan of the Cape Peninsula and Coast of Africa between Table Bay and Saldanah Bay text and charts remain neat and legible. Small Japanese tissue repair to inner folding corner of the chart of Algoa bay.

Barrow has much to say about Le Vaillant, Tachard, Valentyn, Kolben, Sparrman and Thunberg. He gives excellent information about the botany and zoology of the regions traversed. The volumes constitute and important descriptive account of the Colony, its divisions and inhabitants as well as information on its importance from a military and commercial point of view (Mendelssohn).