Medland, Lewis

journal of an extended visit to Cape Colony, mostly spent in the eastern part of the colony, including his experience of farming near Grahamstown and a detailed discussion of fauna and flora, 2 volumes, over 300 pages, 8vo, 15 October 1865 to 23 December 1867, with a partial fair copy journal covering a portion of the same trip, illustrated with 19 albumen prints (from 55 x 65mm. to 130 x 205mm.), comprising 8 portraits and 11 views, c.208 pages, 8vo, 8 September 1865 to 24 July 1866, blue boards; journal entitled "A Trip to the Tropics or Travels in South Central Africa", describing an ambitious trek through Natal and the Transvaal with visits to gold mines, diamond fields, natural features, with excellent detail on wildlife, illustrated with 38 albumen prints (from 55 x 65mm. to 160 x 224mm.) by H. Ferdinand Gros and others, comprising 18 portraits and 20 views, one original drawing, and a hand-coloured engraved map (worn) of the Diamond and Gold Fields of South Africa by J. Wyld, with the author's route added by hand, c.300 pages, 4to, 23 February 1874 to 31 January 1875, blue boards, covers worn with loss at spines, the 1865-67 journal with covers detached and many leaves loose

Lewis Medland (1845-1913); thence by family descent

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Lewis Medland (1845-1914) was a keen traveller, amateur photographer, and Fellow of the Zoological Society. These journals contain a detailed record of two trips to South Africa. Medland spent more than two years in Cape Colony in the mid-1860s, most of the time in the eastern part of the colony, where he leased a kraal near Grahamstown and tried his hand at sheep farming. Medland's trip in 1874 ranged over a much wider geographical range. He was eager to see the developing goldfields of the Transvaal, so he travelled along the coast from Cape Town to Durban then trekked northwards through Natal and explored the Transvaal - soon to become a battleground between the British and the Boers - visiting the goldfields of Lydenburg, the gold mine at Eersterling ("The inhabitants consist of Mr and Mrs Bulton and family a few relations, several Cornish miners & their family") and the Limpopo River, whilst his return journey took in the enormous "Wonder Cave" and the diamond fields of Kimberley. All the journals contain detailed observations of people, places, and wildlife, including hunting ("...Cooked a Parrot in Hippopotamus fat..."). For Medland's journals of his travels in Europe, Russia and North America see lot 181.