The African Collection (Complete Set)

This is a complete 24-volume set of this collection published by Briar Patch Press from 1986-1990. An editorial board led by Africana expert Jim Casada selected some of the finest, and in many cases rarest, volumes on African hunting and reprinted them in two formats. One was a limited edition of 500 numbered copies bound in full calf and housed in linen slipcases. The second version lacked the slipcases and limitation but still featured leather, all edges gilt, ribbon markers, raised hubs, marbled endpapers, and gilt imprinting on the front and spines. Each book came with a lengthy new Introduction by specialists in the field. The new material provided background information on authors, described the historical setting for the volume, and offered general context for where the book fits in the overall rubric of works on African sport. Here is an opportunity to own a full set. Putting one together volume by volume would be a painstaking process, not to mention that the final price, were one able to acquire all 24 volumes would be appreciably higher than the $1800 offering here. While condition varies a bit from one volume to the next, overall condition is fine. The one exception is the Abel Chapman book, which has rubbed hubs and is good only. Offsetting that is the fact that another volume, Lyell’s Memories of an African Hunter, is an unnumbered copy of the limited edition with the slipcase (if you wanted to display the books as a set the slipcase could be removed), and those with Introductions by Jim Casada (11 of the 24 volumes) are signed by him. The individual volumes are listed below. The complete set $1800. 

Charles J. Andersson, Lake Ngami.  xl, 545 pages.  Illustrated, index, folding map.  Lengthy new Foreword by Dorothy Middleton.  1988. 

Samuel W. Baker, The Nile Tributaries of Abyssinia. xxxvi, 606 pages. Illustrated. New Introduction by Jim Casada. 1987.

Samuel W. Baker, Wild Beasts and Their Ways.  xxxii, 455 pages.  Illustrated.  New Introduction by Jim Casada.  1987. 

W. D. M. Bell, The Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter.  xxviii, 188 pages.  Illustrated, index.  New Foreword by Thomas Altherr. 1987.

Abel Chapman, On Safari.  xxxiv, 336 pages.  Illustrated.  New Foreword by Mary Zeiss Stange.  1988.

William Finaughty, The Recollections of William Finaughty, Elephant Hunter, 1864-1875.  xxviii, 272 pages.  Illustrated by noted artist W. R. Leigh, author of Frontier Enchantment.  New Foreword by Paul Rundell. 

F. R. N. Findlay, Big Game Shooting and Travel in Southeast Africa.  xxviii, 313 pages.  Illustrated, index.  New Foreword by Jim Casada.  1990

Roualeyn Gordon-Cumming, A Hunter’s Life in S. Africa.  xxvi, 352 pages.  New Introduction by Gary Clendennen.  Roualeyn Gordon-Cumming, A Hunter’s Life in S. Africa.  1987.

William Cornwallis Harris, The Wild Sports of Southern Africa.  xxxii, 359 pages.  New Foreword by Tom Ofcansky.  1987. 

F. Vaughn Kirby, In Haunts of Wild Game.  xviii, 567 pages.  Illustrated. New Foreword by Jim Casada.  1989. 

Denis D. Lyell, The Hunting & Spoor of Central African Game.  xxxvi, 225 pages.  Lengthy new Foreword by John MacKenzie.  1987

Denis D. Lyell, Memories of an African Hunter.  xxx, 268 pages.  Illustrated, index.  New Foreword by Jim Casada.  1990.

John Guille Millais, A Breath from the Veldt.  xxviii, 345 pages.  New  Introduction by Frank R. Bradlow.  Book in its original folio size.  A gem, with the artwork by Millais being truly striking.  1987. 

Arthur Neumann, Elephant Hunting in East Equatorial Africa.  xxxvi, 320 pages.  Illustrated.  New Foreword by Donald Young.  1987. 

J. H. Patterson, The Man-Eaters of Tsavo.  xlii, 351 pages.  New Introduction by Tom Ofcansky, Foreword by Frederick C. Selous. 1986.

A. B. Percival, A Game Ranger’s Notebook.  [xxvi], 409 pages. New Introduction by John Mackenzie.  1987.

Count Josef Potocki, Sport in Somaliland.  xx, 136 pages.  Folding map.  New Foreword by F. Phillips Williamson.  Full folio size of original.  1988. 

W. H. Powell-Cotton, A Sporting Trip Through Abyssinia.  xxxvi, 521 pages.  New Foreword by Jim Casada.  1990

Theodore Roosevelt, African Game Trails.  xl, 559 pages.  Illustrated.  New Foreword by John Fair.  1987.

F. C. Selous, African Nature Notes and Reminiscences.  xxxviii, 348 pages.  Illustrated.  Foreword by Theodore Roosevelt, new Introduction by Jim Casada. 1988. 

F. C. Selous, A Hunter’s Wanderings in Africa.  xxxii, 455 pages.  Illustrated, index.  New Foreword by Jim Casada.  1986.

James Sutherland, The Adventures of an Elephant Hunter.  xxxvi, 320 pages. Illustrated. New Introduction by Jim Casada. 1990.

John Willoughby, East Africa and Its Big Game.  xxviii, 303 pages.  Illustrated, index.  New Foreword by Jim Casada. 1990