"Lake Ngami: Or, Explorations and Discoveries During Four Years' Wanderings in the Wilds of Southwestern Africa" by Charles John Andersson. With Numerous illustrations Representing Sporting Adventures, Subjects of Natural History, Devices for Destroying Wild Animals, &c., published by Harper & Brothers, Franklin Square, New York, 1856. First American edition (two impressions were published in London, England the same year).

This work recounts two expeditions in Southern Africa undertaken by the author between 1850-1854. Many of the areas he explored were almost unknown in Europe at the time, and his narrative is packed with descriptive imagery and sensational events, from lion attacks and swarms of locusts to local legends and witchcraft. "Few, if any, books give so full and complete an account of Namaqualand, Damaraland, and the Ovampo country, and the description of the fauna of these countries is absolutely unequalled" (Mendelssohn).

Andersson (1827-1867) was a Swedish explorer and amateur naturalist best known for his extensive travels of the southern region of Africa.

In 1849, Andersson departed for London, intending to sell his collection to raise money for travels around the world. In London he met with the explorer Francis Galton, with whom he organized an expedition to Southern Africa. On a midsummer day in 1850 they arrived at the Cape of Good Hope and then travelled to Walvis Bay, in modern-day Namibia. They then trekked into the interior, at the time little explored by Europeans. They intended to reach Lake Ngami, but failed on that expedition. Galton returned home to England, while Andersson stayed in the area and reached Lake Ngami in 1853. In 1855, Andersson returned to London, where he published this book "Lake Ngami", in which he describes his travels. He returned to Africa the same year.

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) ---------- $16.50
Canada: Priority (c.2-6 weeks) --- $29.50
World: Priority (c.2-8 weeks) ---- $39.95

Embossed hard boards, original publisher's brown cloth; gilt designs on both boards, gold lettering on spine; 5” x 8”; antique dealer label inside front board; yellow colored endpapers, frontispiece; 521 pages including General Index and Latin Index + 2 page publisher’s catalogue at rear; 12 full page plates and c.40 text illustrations, a few page corner folds, very good condition.