John Mackenzie — Austral Africa, Losing It or Ruling It

London, Sampson Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, 1887 . First edition. Cloth. Illustrated throughout, this is an attractive example of the two volume first edition of John Mackenzie's defence of the rights of African peoples to their lands. The first edition of this work, complete in two volumes. John Mackenzie lived in Botwana from 1862 until 1876. He became concerned that the African peoples were being threatened by Boer marauders, and politicians who wanted to annex land to the British Cape Colony, and subsequently campaigned to establish the Bechuanaland Protectorate.Illustrated with a frontispiece to each volume, alongside thirteen plates and a folding colour map to the rear of volume I, and seventeen plates and a folding colour map to the rear of volume II. Collated, complete. With two pages of advertisements to the rear of volume I.With the bookplate of William Edward Cates, 1887, to the front pastedown.Drawing on his experience as a missionary of the London Missionary Society, Mackenzie argues for a policy of imperial protection over African peoples against Boer expansion and private interests. In the publisher's original decorative cloth bindings. Bumping to back strip head and tail, otherwise externally excellent. Front hinges strained, but firmly held. Bookplates to front pastedowns. Internally, generally firmly bound, but with three pages of volume I detached and loosely inserted. Pages exceptionally clean and bright. Significant closed tear at map to rear of volume II. Very Good . Ill.: Not Stated. Very Good .