Portraits of the Game & Wild Animals of Southern Africa by W. Cornwallis Harris

This attractive 1969 hardcover edition of Portraits of the Game & Wild Animals of Southern Africa by Captain W. Cornwallis Harris is a beautifully produced Balkema reprint of the famous original 1840 publication, regarded as one of the landmark illustrated works on Southern African wildlife and exploration. Combining natural history, sporting narrative, and early African travel literature, the work remains highly sought after by collectors of Africana, zoological studies, and wildlife illustration.

Cornwallis Harris was among the early European explorers and sportsmen to document the remarkable fauna of Southern Africa in both written and illustrated form. His observations, made during expeditions through the interior of Southern Africa, provide fascinating insight into the region’s wildlife during the early nineteenth century. Portraits of the Game & Wild Animals is especially admired for its striking animal studies, including elephants, antelope, big cats, and other iconic species of the African bush.

This 1969 A.A. Balkema edition reproduces the original work in handsome format and includes an introductory essay and zoological notes, making Portraits of the Game & Wild Animals valuable not only as a collector’s item but also as a useful historical and natural history reference. The large-format presentation allows the illustrations to be fully appreciated and gives the book strong decorative appeal for libraries, studies, lodges, or wildlife collections.

The grey cloth-covered boards remain very neat, featuring the publisher’s blue ensign motif to the front board and blue lettering to the spine. The dust jacket shows light wear but remains presentable and attractive overall. Internally, the book appears clean, well preserved, and securely bound.

Portraits of the Game & Wild Animals is an excellent addition to any Africana, wildlife, or natural history collection, and a particularly desirable title for collectors interested in early depictions of Southern African game animals and exploration literature.

Condition – Very Good 

1969 hardcover edition published by A.A. Balkema, Cape Town. Grey cloth-covered boards with publisher’s blue ensign to the front board and blue lettering to the spine. The dust jacket shows light wear and minor handling marks but remains in good presentable condition overall. Internally clean, well bound, and neatly preserved.