John Daniel Kestell (in Afrikaans; signed limited and numbered edition; 1992)

Van Schoor, M C E

Description:

This book is notable both because it was the first publication of the War Museum of the Boer Republics and especially because it was No 1 of the signed and numbered edition of 100 copies.

The book's subtitle translates as "written autobiographically".

Known as "Vader" [Father] Kestell, the subject of the biography was both a Boer preacher and hero (see lots 107 and 113 of this auction), while the author was the University of the Orange Free State's professor of history and chairman of the Bloemfontein-based National Women's Monument and War Museum bodies.

The full-colour dustjacket features an unattributed painting of Kestell, which is repeated both on the paper-board covers and, in monochrome, as the frontispiece. Plain endpapers. 389 pp of illustrated text + about a dozen pp of inserted plates on art-paper not listed in the contents.

Inside the book is a Christmas card from the director and staff of the museum.

Details:

  • Publisher: (War Museum of the Boer Republics)
  • Publisher Place: Bloemfontein
  • Date of Publication: 1992
  • Edition: Limited numbered and signed edition
  • Jacket Condition: Fine
  • Binding Condition: Mint
  • Overall Condition: Mint
  • Size: 215 x 155
  • Lot No: 133
  • Hammer Price: $100
  • Bids: 1
  • Visits: 26
  • Estimate: $150
  • Reserve: $100

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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.