Wanderings in South America,

First Edition. An extremely engaging and consequently highly popular travel narrative, including the pursuit of samples of curare in Dutch Guiana and the hunt for El Dorado. Probably most remarked upon is the frontispiece of a “Nondescript”, a “human face based on that of a red monkey” (ODNB) which had been modelled employing the Waterton Method of taxidermy.

4to. (282mm x 212mm). Engraved frontispiece of a “Nondescript”. Armorial bookplate of John Selwin to the front pastedown. Frontispiece foxed as usual and slightly off-set onto the title page, a little scattered foxing, but on the whole a very good copy in contemporary tan full calf with dark green morocco lettering piece, a little rubbed, upper joint slightly cracked, head-cap chipped,.