AN EPITOME OF THE BUILDING UP OF A RHODESIAN FIRM

From the Foreword: Originally written to Commemorate, in 1944, the 50th Anniversary of         F. Issels & Son Limited.

A rare find...., this copy is in good condition, though with ex-library markings on fep, ffep and rear endpage only. Three ink markings on the front cover.

Hard carton covers with a cloth spine binding. Frontispiece portrait, a sketch, black and white pictures, 28 pages.

News of the discovery of the gold fields and opening up of the mines at Barberton and Witwatersrand attracted the attention of Mr. Issels and, forseeing the possibilities, he decided to migrate from Holland to South Africa, 1891.

The journey to Johannesburg was completed by ox-wagon and, after reaching his destination, Issels obtained  an appointment as Engineer at Springs Colliery. Three year later he turns towards Matabeleland. it was on the 4th October 1894, that he founded his firm F. Issels & Son Ltd. He arrived in Bulawayo before the advent of railways and had to bring all his tools and equipment with him on his own wagons. 

The bulk of the work was in connection with the making and repairing of wagons; but this was soon replaced by work relating to the mines, and later to other industries.

In 1896 the Matabele Rebellion broke out and the firm, who were contractors to the Government Ordnance Department, played and important role in repairing guns, gun-carriages, limbers and also fixing and turning copper bands on shells.