Travels and Adventures in Southern Africa
1827
First Edition single-volume. (A two-volume edition followed shortly later in 1827.)
A seminal travelogue written by the British merchant who spent eight years at the Cape. It is highly regarded by historians for its "clear, unbiased, and shrewd" observations on the social, economic, and geographical state of the region during the early 19th century.
Expedition to the Eastern Frontier (1821): Thompson traveled to the eastern Cape to investigate trade prospects and the progress of the British Settlers of 1820. He visited settlements such as Port Elizabeth (described then as a tiny hamlet), Grahamstown, and Bathurst, and explored the Cango Caves.
Northern Journeys (1823–1824): This section covers his travels to the Orange River, Bechuanaland, and Augrabies Falls. His descriptions of these northern regions were considered the most authoritative accounts of the area published in the early 1800s.
Cultural & Natural Observations: Thompson provided detailed accounts of indigenous groups, including the San, Khoi, Griqua, and Tswana people, documenting their customs and interactions with colonists. The book is also known for its vivid descriptions of African wildlife and natural history.
Economic Analysis: As a merchant, Thompson concluded with reflections on the agricultural and commercial potential of the colony and its suitability for further British emigration.
The work is often praised for its high-quality aquatint plates and maps, which provided some of the first detailed visual representations of the South African interior to a European audience.
Handsomely rebound in burgundy Mprocco leather.
Slight preliminary foxing.
Complete.
225mm x 270mm x 40
R15,000
