Architectural Beauty of the old Cape as seen by Arthur Elliott. Photograaphs of houses and farmsteads now largely demolished or ruined taken at the beginning of the twentieth century (1969)

Fransen, Hans

Description:

Of the nearly 10,000 negatives in the Elliott Collection, bought by the Government Archives in Cape Town soon after the American-born Elliott died in 1938, fewer than 2000 are of architectural subjects. Of these, Fransen, then the curator of the Stellenbosch Museum, selected 160 "of the best and most interesting" for this book. Nearly all depicted "subjects no longer in existence. The thirty-odd photographs of scens that do still exist unchanged today have been included because they aare Elliott's 'classics'. They also introduce a note of optimism."

Although the publisher appears to give no acknowledgment in the book to the designer and typographer, typesetter, printer (Gothic?) or binder, their work considerably enhances Fransen's fine selection and commentary and Auret's artistic prints.

The bold but otherwise unattractive dustjacket seems out of place on such a beautifully made book. The dustjacket of ths copy has been extensively repaired to appear more or less complete. The grey linen boards, gilt to front panel and spine, are almost mint, and the binding remains fine despite the unfair demands of a square format and heavy text stock. The plain endpapers are unmarked but sunned. The book's viii + 343 pp of text, photographs and index are in near-fine condition, unmarked and undiscoloured and are marred only by readers' finger-stains at the lower corners.

Details:

  • Publisher: Balkema
  • Publisher Place: Cape Town
  • Date of Publication: 1969
  • Edition: First
  • Jacket Condition: Fair
  • Binding Condition: Fine
  • Overall Condition: Near Fine
  • Size: 275 x 275 ; 2.2 kg
  • Lot No: 116
  • Hammer Price: $60
  • Bids: 1
  • Visits: 73
  • Estimate: $120
  • Reserve: $60

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Seller Details:

  • Name: Fontein Books
  • Address: 27 Voortrekker Street, Philippolis 9970
  • Contact Person: Richard Proctor-Sims
  • Country of Origin: South Africa
  • Email: fontein@wol.co.za
  • Website:
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Internet bank transfer or Visa or Mastercard
  • Trade Association: AA Approved
  • Additional Information: Fontein Books has for several years participated in Antiquarian Auctions and its predecessor. It specialises in historical and contemporary books on the Free State and Northern Karoo, and is also an active buyer and seller on commission in these and other fields. Fontein's owner, Richard Proctor-Sims, was an editor, writer and small publisher until 2005, when he moved from Johannesburg to Philippolis, the first settlement (1822) north of the Gariep or Orange River, where he opened his first physical bookshop (to which buyers and sellers are welcome), with reasonable holdings in Africana, both Anglo-Boer wars, biography, history, military history, natural history and travel. He regularly visits Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town and offers to deliver heavy or valuable books or sets to these cities on such visits. Richard Proctor-Sims retains the copyright of Fontein's Antiquarian Auction descriptions and these may not be reproduced without permission and acknowledgment.