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First Matabele War Collection

"The First Matabele War: A Glimpse into the Intensity and Bravery of Battle" In this captivating collection of lithographs and engravings

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The Matabele War, 1893: Attack on the Laager of Wagons on the Imbembezi River, November 1

The Matabele War, 1893: Attack on the Laager of Wagons on the Imbembezi River, November 1, (1901). The First Matabele War was fought in 1893 between the British South Africa Company and the Ndebele

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The Matabili War, following the Spoor of the late Captain Williams (litho)

The Matabili War, following the Spoor of the late Captain Williams (litho)
1627737 The Matabili War, following the Spoor of the late Captain Williams (litho) by Woodville, Richard Caton II (1856-1927) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Matabili War)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The Matabele War (engraving)

The Matabele War (engraving)
1627500 The Matabele War (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Matabele War. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 21 October 1893)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: Round the Map of South Africa (engraving)

Round the Map of South Africa (engraving)
1627519 Round the Map of South Africa (engraving) by Loye, Charles Auguste (Montbard) (1841-1905); Private Collection; (add.info.: Round the Map of South Africa)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The Matabili War in South Africa, Attack on the Laager of Wagons (engraving)

The Matabili War in South Africa, Attack on the Laager of Wagons (engraving)
1627740 The Matabili War in South Africa, Attack on the Laager of Wagons (engraving) by Woodville, Richard Caton II (1856-1927) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: Plan of the Fight at Bembisi, the Matabili War (engraving)

Plan of the Fight at Bembisi, the Matabili War (engraving)
1604633 Plan of the Fight at Bembisi, the Matabili War (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Plan of the Fight at Bembisi, the Matabili War)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: Rough Plan of the Battle of Shangani (engraving)

Rough Plan of the Battle of Shangani (engraving)
1604615 Rough Plan of the Battle of Shangani (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rough Plan of the Battle of Shangani)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The late Major Allan Wilson and his Comrades, Slain in the Matabili War (engraving)

The late Major Allan Wilson and his Comrades, Slain in the Matabili War (engraving)
1604472 The late Major Allan Wilson and his Comrades, Slain in the Matabili War (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The Matabili War, Battle on 1 November, near Buluwayo (engraving)

The Matabili War, Battle on 1 November, near Buluwayo (engraving)
1604445 The Matabili War, Battle on 1 November, near Buluwayo (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Matabili War, Battle on 1 November, near Buluwayo)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: They fought on grimly, illustration from

They fought on grimly, illustration from
STC397057 They fought on grimly, illustration from Battles of the Nineteenth Century by Archibald Forbes, G.A. Henty and Major Arthur Griffiths (litho) by Soper

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The South African Question, a Skirmish (litho)

The South African Question, a Skirmish (litho)
1627538 The South African Question, a Skirmish (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The South African Question, a Skirmish)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The Matabili War (litho)

The Matabili War (litho)
1604634 The Matabili War (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Matabili War. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 17 March 1894)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The late Captain E A W Lendy, with the Sierra Leone Frontier Police

The late Captain E A W Lendy, with the Sierra Leone Frontier Police, in the Expedition against the Sofas (engraving)
1604516 The late Captain E A W Lendy, with the Sierra Leone Frontier Police, in the Expedition against the Sofas (engraving) by Woodville

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The Destruction of Buluwayo, burnt on 3 November by Order of King Lo Bengula (engraving)

The Destruction of Buluwayo, burnt on 3 November by Order of King Lo Bengula (engraving)
1604926 The Destruction of Buluwayo, burnt on 3 November by Order of King Lo Bengula (engraving) by Woodville, Richard Caton II (1856-1927) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: On the Track of the Matabele (litho)

On the Track of the Matabele (litho)
1627518 On the Track of the Matabele (litho) by Woodville, Richard Caton II (1856-1927) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: On the Track of the Matabele)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The War in South Africa, a Native Chief in Council (engraving)

The War in South Africa, a Native Chief in Council (engraving)
1627521 The War in South Africa, a Native Chief in Council (engraving) by Woodville, Richard Caton II (1856-1927) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The War in South Africa)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: On the track of Lobengula, 1893, illustration from Cassell

On the track of Lobengula, 1893, illustration from Cassell
STC385372 On the track of Lobengula, 1893, illustration from Cassells Illustrated History of England (engraving) (sepia photo) by Paget

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The War in South Africa, a Critical Moment (engraving)

The War in South Africa, a Critical Moment (engraving)
1604930 The War in South Africa, a Critical Moment (engraving) by Woodville, Richard Caton II (1856-1927) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The War in South Africa, a Critical Moment)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The Matabili War (engraving)

The Matabili War (engraving)
1604425 The Matabili War (engraving) by Loye, Charles Auguste (Montbard) (1841-1905); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Matabili War. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 6 January 1894)

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: The Matabele War, 1893 (1901)

The Matabele War, 1893 (1901)
The Matabele War, 1893, (1901). Attack on the laager of wagons on the Imbembezi River, 1 November. The First Matabele War was fought in 1893 between the British South Africa Company and the Ndebele

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: They Fought on Grimly, 1895, (1902). Artist: George Soper

They Fought on Grimly, 1895, (1902). Artist: George Soper
They Fought on Grimly, 1895, (1902). The Shangani Patrol (or Wilsons Patrol), comprising 34 soldiers in the service of the British South Africa Company

Background imageFirst Matabele War Collection: Mr. Riley. Umjan. Mr. Dawson, 1902. Artist: TW Holmes

Mr. Riley. Umjan. Mr. Dawson, 1902. Artist: TW Holmes
Mr. Riley. Umjan. Mr. Dawson, 1902. The Shangani Patrol (or Wilsons Patrol), comprising 34 soldiers in the service of the British South Africa Company



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"The First Matabele War: A Glimpse into the Intensity and Bravery of Battle" In this captivating collection of lithographs and engravings, we are transported back to the tumultuous era of the First Matabele War. The images vividly depict the harrowing events that unfolded during this historic conflict. One such engraving titled "The Matabili War, following the Spoor of the late Captain Williams" takes us on a journey through treacherous terrain as brave soldiers track down their adversaries. Another engraving, "Attack on the Laager of Wagons, " showcases a fierce battle scene where wagons become fortresses against relentless attacks. As we delve deeper into these illustrations, we encounter key moments in this war's timeline. "Plan of the Fight at Bembisi" provides an intricate layout of a significant confrontation, while "Rough Plan of the Battle of Shangani" offers insight into one of its most decisive clashes. Amongst these depictions lies heart-wrenching imagery that pays tribute to fallen heroes. In "The late Major Allan Wilson and his Comrades, " we witness their solemn sacrifice for a cause they believed in with unwavering determination. But amidst all adversity, there were glimmers of hope and resilience. The engraving titled "Battle on 1 November near Buluwayo" portrays warriors fighting valiantly despite overwhelming odds – a testament to their unyielding spirit. These lithographs and engravings offer glimpses into both sides involved in this conflict. From British forces depicted in illustrations like "They fought on grimly" to African warriors showcased in pieces such as "The South African Question, " each image tells its own story within this larger narrative. Finally, we encounter individuals who played crucial roles throughout these events.