SPL Hand Coloured Rare Book Collection Featuring Norman R Bobins

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GAMITTO, Antonio Candido Pedroso (Major).
O Muata Cazembe...

First edition of this valuable narrative recording a trade mission to Kazembe IV. It was the last of three major Portuguese expeditions to connect the Portuguese territories of Angola in the west with Mozambique in the east. The expedition, fitted out with only one instrument (a compass), suffered from poor planning and failed in its objective to establish trade contacts with the Kingdom of Kazambe (in present-day Zambia). However, Gamitto, second-in-command of the expedition, was an observant traveller with a genuine interest in the customs and traditions of the peoples he encountered, and his narrative records valuable ethnographic information on the Malawi, the Cewa and Tumbuka, the Bisa, the Lunda, and the Bemba. Gamitto was the first to observe that the Malawi were matrilineal and described in full detail several technical processes and customs that have since disappeared. The fine plates show views, artifacts, and portraits, providing an excellent visual record of south-central African culture.

Published
Lisboa: Imprensa Nacional, 1854.
References
Mendelssohn I, p.586; not in Gay.
Plates
23
Binding/Size
S=8vo
Value
0-5000
Published
Lisboa: Imprensa Nacional, 1854.
Ref
1108

8vo. Contemporary half roan, spine is ribbed and gilt, with gilt title, blue sprinkled edges. With 22 hand-coloured lithographed plates and a folding lithographed map (45 x 28 cm) outlined in colour with the itinerary. XXV, 501, (2) pp. Rare FIRST EDITION of a vital travel account on the Portuguese expedition under Major Jose Maria Correa Monteiro towards the kingdom of Cazembe (now Zambia). Beautifully illustrated with hand-coloured plates depicting Africans from different peoples, landscape views, and artifacts. It contains much information on the natives of Portuguese South-East Africa, together with a description of a journey from Tete to Lunda in the years 1831 and 1832. Antonio Candido Pedroso Gamitto (1806-1866) was appointed second-in-command of an expedition to establish a trade route through the Kazembe kingdom, connecting the Angolese-Portuguese territories in the west and Mozambique in the east. A good copy, with a library stamp on the title.- (Spine slightly discoloured, boards scuffed and worn in places, corners bumped, hinges cracked, some foxing). Purple stamp on title page. Coloured plates in order: 1. Frontispiece. O Muata cazembe vestido de gran de Galla. 2. Uraro ou Ponte dos Maraves. 3. Forja dos Maraves. 4. Marave no acto de disparar a flexa. 5. Virgem Marave conduzindo a Mexira. 6. Mulher Marave ornada com todos os infeites, fumando, tendo parado no trabalho da Cultura. 7. Nhumbas ou Cazas dos Maraves. 8. Marave tomando o Moave. 9. Tumbuca conduzindo uma carga. 10. Lacos para a Caca. 11. Muiza vestido com a Nhanda e ornado com o Chinguengue. 12. Muiza vestido com a Nhanda e ornado com o Chinguengue e com outro enfeite. 13. Muiza vestido com a Nhanda e ornado com Mabanduas. 14. Grande Audiencia do Muata Cazembe. 15. Imbirebire / Gomati / Poucue / Mondo / Clincufo. 16. Cazembe ou Lunda com o Pocue dezembainhado, e com o cabello atado antes de penteado. 17. Tangedor de Clincufo. 18. Cidade de Lunda. (plan) 19. Lunda ou Cazembe com arco e Azagaija. 20. Lunda ou Cazembe com escudo e Azagaija; epenteado a seu modo. 21. Rua de Lunda / Cazas dos Lundas. 22. Muemba armado, e em marcha. 23. Itinerario de Tete a Lunda. (folding map)