Heroes of the Boer War (1903) . . .

Rompel, Frederik

Description:

". . . by Frederik Rompel (late parliamentary and war correspondent of the Volkstem, Pretoria), with an introduction by Major-General Albert Pfister and a preface by W T Stead, with one hundred and forty-four illustrations and two maps"

This book was widely published across the Continent of Europe before becoming available to readers in Great Britain. In his preface, William Stead notes that this fact, on its own, accounted for much of the acclaim for the Boer leaders and heroes on the Continent and, on the contrary, much of the prejudice against the Boer leaders and their cause in Britain.

He writes (in summary) that "this book is one which ought to form part of every collection of the literature of the South African War . . . first, because it gives more fully than any other book yet published an account of the Boers and their leaders as they appear in the eyes of the Dutch of South Africa . . . secondly, because it is only by reading this book that we English can understand how it was that the whole of the non-English world regarded with horror and indignation the Britsh devastation of the two Republics . . . thirdly, so that we may refresh our souls and strengthen our hearts by looking once more upon the Heroes who have compelled a wondering world to recognize that the Heroic Age is not yet closed . . ."

This is a collectable copy. The dark-green cloth-board covers, white and red to the panel and the spine, are rubbed and scuffed at the corners, but otherwise clean. The torn spine has been relaid on blue tape applied to reinforce the binding, which is now sound apart from a crack between section 13 and 14. There are no ownership or other marks and the xxviii + 196 pages of illustrated text and index of places are unmarked and undiscoloured. The two folding maps at the back are present and in perfect condition.

 

Details:

  • Publisher: (not stated)
  • Publisher Place: London; The Hague and Pretoria
  • Date of Publication: 1903
  • Edition: First
  • Binding Condition: Fair to Good (see description)
  • Overall Condition: Very Good
  • Size: 245 x 170
  • Lot No: 115
  • Hammer Price: $50
  • Bids: 1
  • Visits: 21
  • Estimate: $150
  • Reserve: $50

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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.