Report on the Work of the Horn Scientific Expedition to Central Australia - 4 Volumes

Baldwin Spencer — Editor

Corkwood Press, Bundaberg, Australia, 1994 limited facsimile edition / 1896. Quarto—sm4to (7.25 x 10.50 inches), 1056pp total, special original binding of half Morocco leather on marbled boards with gilt titled spines. Four volumes with numerous illustrations, 66 pages of plates (several foldout, 13 in color) and large fold out map. A Fine set of the very rare edition limited to 50 numbered copies—this being set #39 of 50. FINE CONDITION inside and out.

Volume 1: Narrative, Summary of Results, Supplement to Zoological Report, (ii), xviii, 220pp; Introduction, Indexed, foldout Map.

Volume 2: Zoology, (ii), iv, 432pp, Indexed, numerous color and bw full page drawings and photos.

Volume 3: Geology and Botany, vi, 204pp, diagrams, foldout charts, Indexed.

Volume 4: Anthropology, vi, 200 pp, Indexed, foldout and full page plates.

The purpose of this scientific expedition, sponsored by mining magnate and philanthropist William Austin Horn, and with Charles Winnecke as commander and surveyor, was to examine the MacDonnell Ranges on the not unreasonable premise that ‘when the rest of the Continent was submerged the elevated portions of the McDonnell Range existed as an island, and that consequently older forms of life might be found in the more inaccessible parts. This proved not to be the case, but the expedition, covering over 2000 miles by camel, was an outstanding success. “It was not the intention…to explore a new region…but in the pursuit of natural history the expedition split into independent groups and explored undiscovered areas, thus filling in more of the blank spaces in this vast region” (Feeken, Feeken and Spate). These four volumes constitute one of the most substantial contributions in nineteenth-century Australian exploration.

Limited to only 50 numbered sets, and sold out on publication. An impressive set of volumes inside and out.