A while back I was gifted about 20 books on Africa, all hunting related. I've been slacking in the reading department lately but was glancing through some of the selections I haven't read. I came across this set of 2 books, in pristine condition, probably never been read I'm sure. Both signed and numbered. Originally published in 1928 and 1000 of them reprinted in 1985. Author is a Mr. Percival and the forward written by Jim Rikhoff. Anyone read or own this set? Can you tell me more about it and the author? Any value to these books? I gotta admit most of them in the collection I know very little about.
Thanks

A. Blaney Percival was one of the early game rangers in British East Africa (before it became Kenya), and I think was related to Phillip Percival, who was Hemingway's PH on his first safari. Jim Rickhoff founded Amwell Press, the publisher of this reprint. Amwell did reprints of famous writings by hunters from days gone by, as well original works, many of which Rickhoff wrote. The Amwell limited edition books can be found on many rare books websites.
What else do you have in this collection?

Thanks for the info.
Some of the titles I can read from here, most in mint condition and signed:

Hunting the African Lion - by Rikhoff
Hunting the African Buffalo - by Rikhoff
First Wheel - by Allen
Second Wheel - by Allen
Shamba Raiders - by Bruce Kinloch
Uganda Safaris - by Herne
Dusty Days & Distant Drums - by Rindone
Cat - by Rikhoff
Life of Frederick Selous - by Millais
Elephant Hunting in East Equatorial Africa - Arthur Newman
Hunting the Big Cats, Volume 1 & 2 - Rikhoff
Huntin the African Buffalo - Rikhoff
Kambaku - by Manners
A White Hunters Life - Mac Logan
Grand Safari - by Thomas Arbuthnot


7-8 others I can't make out titles of without getting off my lazy butt.
Not sure what I have here as far as collection but its been some great reading thusfar.

As numbered ltd editions from 1985, those probably sell in the two to three hundred range. Beautiful books! I collect, and have had to sell some from time to time, but all of mine, and my complete set of DGJs wont be sold from now on, i want em for my son. weve GOT to pass tbis on!!!

Darkside,
From the titles, I'd guess that whomever gave you the books was a subscriber in the '80's to Amwell Press/National Sporting Fraternity's limited edition offerings. Are they all Amwell publications, and if so, do the numbers match?That is a very nice collection, if the rest are in as good condition as the Percival set you have a reasonably valuable library on your hands, and some very good reading. Don't spill the coffee or red wine on them...

quote:

Originally posted by big_bwana:
A. Blaney Percival......I think was related to Phillip Percival, who was Hemingway's PH on his first safari.

They were brothers.

Brett