The Land of the Lion

THE LAND OF THE LION

Rainsford, W.S

Published by William Heinemann London (1909)

First UK Edition

William Heinemann, 1909. 1st. Edition. xxiv + 459pp, map, 69 illustrations, top edge gilt. Publisher's original navy blue and gilt boards, with gilt lion's head vignette on front. Some minor wear to spine head and tail, else very good condition bright gilt to spine and cover.

Descriptions of British East Africa in the early 1900's. "Rainsford's safari trekked through British East Africa where a variety of game was bagged. After crossing the Mau Escarpment, the author's party hunted lion, buffalo and rhino, then elephant near Mt. Elgon. Later, rhino and buffalo were taken near the Guaso Nyiro. He remarks that shooting elephants with a 500 or 577 is outmoded - a 256 Mannlicher or.275 Mauser will do perfectly well! There are plenty of big game hunting adventures throughout." Czech. SR2.

He was born in Dublin to Marcus Rainsford, who was a chaplain in a hospital for the blind. He attended Cambridge University and spent time in the south of France, suspending his studies for health reasons. In May 1882, the vestry of St. George's Church, which included J. Pierpont Morgan, offered the post of rector to Rainsford; several members of the vestry had heard Rainsford preach when he was in New York. The church was under some stress, because of changes in the local population and a substantial debt of $35,000. After some negotiations he accepted. Rainsford is reported to have said that after a month of his sermons seven of the fourteen families still attending the church had left, but after that point the church's membership grew.