Free Statia. Reminiscences of a lifetime in the Orange Free State, South Africa. (first edition, 1907)

Collins, Wm W

Description:

Although the publisher of the edition of this work in Lot 200 preferred to reset the book as, he felt, the printing of the 1907 edition was too poor for facsimile reproduction, we much prefer the original, whose letterpress is generally crisp and printed on fine laid paper. Furthermore, the Collectanea edition omits the original's charming half-title, title, in memoriam and motto pages as well as errata slip and plates, even substituting a poor pencil sketch of Sir John Brand for the original frontispiece of the author.

As it now is, the book is quarter-bound in its original light-blue cloth-boards, purple lettering to the panel with a later dark-blue spine binding cloth and new plain endpapers. Although the original covers are stained, bumped and rubbed, they remain attractive, while the later spine material and endpapers, whiter than the rest of the book, are unmarked, undiscoloured and undamaged.

The viii + 391 pp of text are in very good condition and are augmented by a frontispiece and six pages of plates.

An attractive and collectable copy, without ownership or other marks.

Details:

  • Publisher: The Friend
  • Publisher Place: Bloemfontein
  • Date of Publication: 1907
  • Edition: First
  • Binding Condition: Good +
  • Overall Condition: Very Good
  • Size: 240 x 160
  • Lot No: 199
  • Hammer Price: $200
  • Bids: 3
  • Visits: 88
  • Estimate: $250
  • Reserve: $150

Have a similar item to sell? Please Contact Us or one of our sellers with the details.


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.