The Victoria Falls Zambesi River

rare hand-coloured issue

Baines's most important published work on the Victoria Falls: the rare hand-coloured issue, containing 'the finest artistic portrayals of this great natural wonder' (Bradlow).

In 1858, on the recommendation of the Royal Geographical Society, Baines was appointed artist to David Livingstone's Zambesi expedition and accompanied him as far as Tete in the Portuguese territory. Later, Baines joined James Chapman on an expedition from the south-west coast of Africa to the Victoria Falls in 1861, during which he made many sketches and paintings.

First edition; folio (56.2 x 36.2cm); lithographic title & 10 tinted plates, all hand-coloured, by T. Picken (3), R.M. Bryson (1), F. Jones (3), E. Walker (2) and one unsigned, all after Baines, 1 wood-engraved illustration, 8 letterpress leaves, a little marginal spotting with more so to title, small marginal tears to title and plates 3, 5, 8, 9, and 10 repaired with none affecting images, letterpress leaves slightly frayed, lithographs still bright and attractive; near-contemporary half green morocco portfolio, green cloth boards and flaps, gilt lettering to spine, original gilt titled cloth preserved to inner pastedown, joints worn, a very good copy.

Mendelssohn I, p.70.