Press release
 
Lots 196 and 202
Copy No. 430 of 500 of a limited edition, published 1899, signed by Rowland Ward, H. A. Bryden’s Great and Small Game of Africa, with 15 hand-coloured illustrations and many more is expected to sell for R12,000 to R16,000 as Lot 70. A good copy of Capt. W. Cornwallis Harris’ ‘Portraits of the Game and Wild Animals of Southern Africa’, 1840 edition, a handsome copy, as Lot 129 is estimated at R80,000 to R120,000. Rudolph Marloth’s ‘The Flora of South Africa, first edition, 1913, 6 Volumes with original dustjackets is estimated at R15,000 to R20,000. The famous ‘Book of Antelopes’ by Sclater and Oldfield, first edition 1894-1900 in 4 Volumes and bound in ¾ leather should sell at R46,000 to R55,000, Lot 196. In the set there are 100 hand-coloured lithographed plates. Similarly Andrew Smith’s ‘Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa’, 5 Volumes in 4 and bound in ¾ leather, Lot 202, first edition of 1849 is estimated at R50,000 to R70,000.
The offering of books on South African art and artists is particularly strong – items on offer are too numerous to mention. However, Lot 120 Stephen Gray and Cecil Skotnes’ “Man Gold’, a private edition limited to 75 copies numbered 1 to 75 (of which this copy is No. 13), deserves special mention. It contains 28 coloured woodcuts by Skotnes, each signed and numbered with six poems and text by Gray. The book is hand bound by the late Peter Carstens in full Oasis goatskin in custom made slipcase. Its estimate, as Lot 120, is R25,000 to R30,000. Similarly there is Lot 106, Charles Ellingtons’ 10 poems with 10 original signed woodcuts by Skotnes. An edition of 75 (this is No. 31), has an estimate R23,000 to R26,000.
Battiss material is always sought after. A real gem is Walter Battiss ‘The Artists of the Rocks’, Red Fawn Press 1948. What makes this copy (Lot 48) note worthy, is because of its extremely fine dustjacket. The edition is limited to 500. Then in Battiss’ own hand is the inscription “No 3 of a special edition of six” and Battiss’ signature: estimated price R8,000 to R10,000. Also on offer is the rare ‘Dooksomoonka 77 Fook Island 19 Joonookerie – 28 Septookerie’, published by Battiss circa 1982, Lot 47, estimate R2,000 to R3,000.
Finally in the varied offering of books which also include Africana Memorabilia and manuscripts, there are 16 lots of Anglo-Boer War focus.
This sale should cater for the full range of interests of the Africana book collector.
NB: All items illustrated in catalogue.
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