From Real to Rand (nd ?1962)

Becklake, J T

Description:

"Real" comes from "Reaal van Achten" or Pieces of Eight, which were in currency at the Cape in the seventeenth century. The writer takes the story from the Cape's victualling station days (when "whatever currency came its way" was used) through the republican days (when the business of coin minting was very active) and the half century of Union (when British-style currency was in use) to monetary decimalisation fifty years ago. Medals are also covered.

Becklake, the first director of the South African Mint, has written a fine book (ix + 83 pp), with excellent illustrations (the book is printed on coated stock) and a comprehensive bibliography.

The two-colour printed dustjacket is complete and unclipped (R1.65), although rubbed and chipped and with two small unclosed tears, but no loss. The brown cloth-board covers, gilt to front and spine, are near-fine, with hardly noticeable rubbing at the lower corners and spine extremity. The binding remains tight but there is slight cracking between sections 3 and 4 and 4 and 5. The endpapers are plain, with an owner name in pen on the front free sheet. The text is clean and undiscoloured

This is an excellent copy of a book that no longer easily found.

 

Details:

  • Publisher: Central News Agency
  • Publisher Place: South Africa
  • Date of Publication: no date (?1962)
  • Edition: First
  • Jacket Condition: Fair to Good
  • Binding Condition: Very Good
  • Overall Condition: Very Good
  • Size: 220 x 140
  • Lot No: 301
  • Hammer Price: $40
  • Bids: 1
  • Visits: 21
  • Estimate: $60
  • Reserve: $40

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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.