Russell E. Train Africana Collection (Smithsonian. Libraries) Search this
Extent:
1 Item (Manuscripts (document genre), 8 x 10.25 x 1 in.)
Container:
Item M005
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1869 May 12 - 1870 April 2
Scope and Contents note:
This journal covers approximately the first half of Baines' first journey as agent of the South African Gold Fields Exploration Company, describing the incidents of the journey north from the borders of the Transvaal Republic into modern Zimbabwe as far as Maghunda, including encounters with tribesmen, traders, missionaries and wildlife, negotiations with the chieftain Umnombate for permission to explore, prospecting for gold near the Hartley Hills, early interviews with the last Matabele King, Lobengula (or Nobengulu), and descriptions of the daily practical business of pioneering travel in southern Africa.
General note:
207 leaves (numbered 119-325), with 80 leaves in pencil, the remainder carbon copy, with occasional markings and corrections in another hand in blue or red pencil, or ink 18 marginal sketches of wildlife, landscape, or shifts of camp life, and three sketched maps of river systems.
Collection Rights:
The collection is housed in the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Library of Natural History, which is open to researchers Monday through Friday in the afternoons, from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m.; morning visits are by appointment only. Please call (202) 633-1184 or email AskaLibrarian@si.edu for an appointment.
