ANGAS, George French (1822-1886). South Australia Illustrated. London: Thomas M'Lean, 1847.

ANGAS, George French (1822-1886). South Australia Illustrated. London: Thomas M'Lean, 1847.

2° (535 x 370mm). 2pp. list of subscribers. Hand-coloured tinted lithographic title, lithographic dedication to Queen Adelaide, 60 hand-coloured tinted lithographic plates (58 after Angas, 2 after T.S. Gill), drawn on stone by Angas, J.W. Giles, W. Hawkins, William Wing and 2 unsigned. (Heavy spotting to additional title and plates 1, 3, 55, 56 and 59, light spotting to dedication leaf and 28 plates.) Contemporary red half morocco, gilt edges (recased, modern endpapers, extremities rubbed).

FIRST EDITION of this important visual record: 'With the hope of preserving true and life-like records of men and scenes, so quickly passing away, I have endeavoured... to describe the most interesting and peculiar features of South Australia and its Aboriginal Inhabitants. I have devoted my time and powers entirely to the accomplishment of this task - visiting all portions of the Colony - and making myself conversant with the manners and habits of native tribes, whose existence is unknown to the world' (Preface). Abbey Travel II,577; Colas 133; Ferguson IV.4458; Tooley 62.