Live Auction, 16 March 2015

Notes

This lot is accompanied by ten pencil and watercolour illustrations by "J.W.":

1. Untitled, corresponding to plate 2 (Herdsman), signed with the artist's initials, 21 by 16,5cm

2. Fingoo, corresponding to plate 11 (Bechuana Woman), signed with the artist's initials, inscribed with the title and 'XVIII', 23,5 by 17cm

3. Kafir, corresponding to plate 16 (An Old Amakoora Caffre), signed with the artist's initials and inscribed with the title, 21,5 by 16,5cm

4. Untitled, corresponding to plate 26 (A Malay Woman), signed with the artist's initials, 21,5 by 16,5cm

5. Untitled, corresponding to plate 28 (Dutch Boor), signed with the artist's initials, 23 by 17,5cm, unframed

6. Coolie, corresponding to plate 30 (A Negro Mozambique), signed with the artist's initials, inscribed with the title and inscribed 'XXVI', 24 by 16,5cm

7. Bechuana Woman - Mantatee - Playing on the Lornoo, corresponding to plate 35 (A Hottentot Musician), signed with the artist's initials and inscribed with the title, 21 by 17cm

8. Zoolo Warrior Chief, corresponding to plate 40 (Matabele), signed with the artist's initials and inscribed with the title, 20,5 by 15,5cm

9. Bushman, corresponding to plate 41 (A Bosjesman or Bushman), signed with the artist's initials and inscribed with the title, 21 by 15cm

10. Bushwoman, corresponding to plate 42 (A Hottentot), signed with the artist's initials and inscribed with the title, 19 by 16cm

Provenance: formerly the property of John and C Gertrude E Leveson-Gower, who were in South Africa in 1847.

Drawings by "J.W." were also published in Miss Fanny Park's Wanderings of a Pilgrim and elsewhere. The identity of the artist remains a mystery.

This is one of the rarest Africana books ever to be published.