With Rhodes in Mashonaland (two parts in one volume; 1896)

De Waal, David C (translated from the original Dutch by Jan H Hofmeyr de Waal)

Description:

From the Preface: "The contents of this book appeared a few years ago as a series of articles in the Zuid Afrikaansche Tijdschrift, a Dutch monthly magazine published in Cape Town. As Charterland or Rhodesia (as it has recently been named) was then, so to speak, a new-born babe to which the political eye of South Africa was turning with keen interest, the description of our travels was eagerly and appreciatively read . . . When I penned the contents of this volume, I did not in the least contemplate their being printed in English. Shortly after their publication in their original form, I was asked by numbers of my English friends to have them translated and published in book form. To this request I have at last yielded, and I trust the book will please them and all others who care to know something about the nature and history of Mashonaland - the future Eldorado."

The author, who made two journeys with Rhodes, Loch, Sivewright, Captain Bower and Dr Jameson - all of whom were later to receive high honours - told his readers that the second part of the book, which contained "an account of our second trip to the interior", was the more interesting of the two and he therefore hoped that "the reader will not lay aside and criticise the book until he has perused the whole of it".

The contents - xix + 351 pp of unillustrated and unindexed text - are in better than good condition except that the fore-edge of the prelims and first 4 pp has been damaged. The front (sunned) endpaper is similarly damaged. An owner signature and note in ink are on the half-title page. The back endpaper and the leaf before the endpaper are also sunned. The blue cloth-boards, blind embossed to the panel and gilt to the spine, are badly damaged at the front edge and lower corner of the front cover (see images). The spine is bumped at the head and foot. The binding, however, remains firm.

 

Details:

  • Publisher: J C Juta
  • Publisher Place: Cape Town etc
  • Date of Publication: 1896
  • Edition: First
  • Binding Condition: See description and images
  • Overall Condition: Good +
  • Size: 190 x 135
  • Lot No: 263
  • Hammer Price: $35
  • Bids: 1
  • Visits: 35
  • Estimate: $75
  • Reserve: $35

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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.