The missing southern part of Africa was mapped later, as displayed in this 1650 map, Aethiopia Interior vel Exterior Monomotapa by Matthaus Merian. Merian "borrowed" an earlier Blaeu map to create his rendition of southern Africa. This map is virtually identical to Blaeu's except Merian placed only one monkey in its lower right corner (instead of two), and made up for this by adding an extra ship to the ocean. Item 83. £350 (US $580).

Frank Oates was a British naturalist, who after an expedition to the Rocky Mountains in 1871-72, set out for southern Africa in 1873 with his brother W.E. Oates. They traveled to Matabeleland in today's Zimbabwe, whereupon W.E. returned home. Frank proceeded on, eventually reaching Victoria Falls on December 31, 1874. Unfortunately, soon thereafter, on his trip back, he was struck down with fever and died. Oates compiled extensive notes on the area's natural history, which were edited and published by another brother, Charles George Oates, in 1881. The title is Matabele Land and the Victoria Falls. A Naturalist's Wanderings in the Interior of South Africa. £650 (US $1,080).

Christison Rare Books may be reached at ++27 41 371 4844 or antiquarian@antiquarian.co.za. Their website is found at www.antiquarian.co.za.