FRANCOIS LEVAILLANT SECOND VOYAGE THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF IN SOUTH AFRICA

"Second Voyage Dans L'Interieur De L'Afrique, Par Le Cap De Bonne Esperance, Dans Les Annees 1783, 84 et 85; Par F. LeVaillant" All three volumes of the second voyage of Francois Le Vaillant into the interior of South Africa via the Cape of Good Hope. Published in Paris by H.J. Jansen in 1795. Date of publication indicated as 'Year Three of the Republic' on the title page, as in the first three years after the French Revolution. All three volumes rebound in black pigskin. All 22 plates present. Two of the fold-out plates have a tear on one of their folds but with no loss. A circular shadow can be observed on the title pages of all three volumes but overall the contents are in good condition. Mendelssohn, volume I, pages 889, 890, & 892: 'His description is unique for this period, as little information respecting these regions had been published up to this date'. The second expedition was to Namaqualand, Damaraland, Bechcuanaland and the Kalahari Desert. It provides an interesting and early narrative of South Africa at a time when it was little known. The plates include that of a giraffe and of a hippopotamus, which were little known then, the local people, and several views.   A classic work on African travel which was a primary source for many later travelers including Adulphe Delegorgue.