The French Refugees at the Cape (1919)

Botha, Colin Graham

Description:

Written by the man who became South Africa's chief archivist, this is a concise but invaluable and well-illustrated record of the Huguenots who took refuge at the Cape in the late seventeenth century. Botha's introduction begins: "The coming of the French Refugees to the Cape is one of the most important and interesting episodes in the history of South Africa. The late Dr George McCall Theal, in his 'History of South Africa', has presented us with a vivid picture of the Refugees, but some additional facts will, it is hoped, prove not uninteresting . . . "

Apart from the main text, the book is notable for its bibliography and its reproduction of some of the principal documents relating to the refugees, both in their original languages and in English translations. The two folding maps and the folding sheet of facsimile signatures of some of the French refugees, which are all perfectly preserved in this copy, add considerable value to the book.

The grey cloth-boards, with green titling to the spine, are in very good condition despite a few small brown stains, particularly to the spine. The plain endpapers are sunned and carry a signature and year in ink on the front free leaf. The front endpapers are lightly cracked. The viii + 171 pp of text, appendixes and index are unmarked and undiscoloured.

 

Details:

  • Publisher: Cape Times
  • Publisher Place: Cape Town
  • Date of Publication: 1919
  • Edition: First
  • Binding Condition: Very Good
  • Overall Condition: Very Good
  • Size: 220 x 145
  • Lot No: 218
  • Hammer Price: $70
  • Bids: 1
  • Visits: 26
  • Estimate: $150
  • Reserve: $70

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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.