Combretaceae in Southern Africa (1988; sponsors' edition of six copies)

Carr, J D

Description:

Denzil Carr was an engineer by profession and a botanist by inclination, authoring the standard works on Southern African Acacias and Combretaceae. The latter work was published in standard and subscribers' editions as well as a very limited editions of six sponsors' copies.

These six sponsors' copies, of which this is No 2, were half-bound by Peter Carstens of Johannesburg in different colours of goatskin (this is the green copy) and marbled paper, with gilt lettering to the spine of the book and of the quarter-bound matching solander case in which the book is presented and preserved. The sections are hand-sewn and the binding has head and tail bands and five raised spine bands. The top edge is gilt. The outer endpapers are single-sided brick-red sheets, augmented by three leaves of plain endpapers front and back. The text of this edition is printed on Hahnemeuhle acid-free laid paper from Germany.

In the solander case of this copy are four proofs of the 17 colour plates for the book by Elise Buitendag signed off by the author. These feature Combretum moggii, Pteleopsis myrtifolia and two Terminalias, prunoides and sericea, and are suitable for framing.

There are in addition more than 300 photographs, distribution maps and other monochrome illustrations in the text.

One of the copies of this edition is in the Special Collection of the National Botanical Gardens library at Kirstenbosch.

This copy is in mint condition. The condition of the solander case is also close to mint, despite a very slight bump to one of the corners. This may be one of the finest examples of botanical book production to have appeared in the past fifty years or more.

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Details:

  • Publisher: Tree Society of Southern Africa
  • Publisher Place: Johannesburg
  • Date of Publication: 1988
  • Edition: Sponsors
  • Binding Condition: Mint
  • Overall Condition: Mint
  • Size: 320 x 240 x 45
  • Lot No: 1
  • Hammer Price: $735
  • Bids: 6
  • Visits: 149
  • Estimate: $1000
  • Reserve: $600

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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.