The Diamond-Field Keepsake for 1873 AND South African Reminiscences.

Cape Town: the Author, [1873]. First edition (pp. 38). Large quarto (29 cm) in purple cloth with gilt titles and decorations; seven fine early photographs of sites around the diamond fields laid down; vignette on title page miniature of His Excellency Sir H. Barkly; text set in red borders. From the Port Elizabeth sales catalogue of 1952: "In these pages the early days of Kimberley are described and a valuable account of the history up to this period is given. With a lively account of O'Reilly’s visit to the Van Niekerks' farm where the first diamond was spotted. The photographs, some full-page and others folding panoramic, actually show true to life the doings on the diamond-fields in the early rush." Rear cover and endpapers with moisture marks, tips of spine a bit worn, a few bubbles to front cover, spine faded. Some of the first photographs of the diamond fields. Not in Mendelssohn. Rare.

TOGETHER WITH R. W.

Murray. South African Reminiscences. A Series of sketches of prominent public events which have occurred in South Africa within the memory of the author during the forty years since 1854, and of the public men, official and unofficial, who have taken part in them. Cape Town: Juta, 1894. First edition (pp. xiv, 254, adverts). Tall octavo (22 cm) in publisher’s dark green pebbled cloth, gilt titles and decoration in blind. Frontis sepia portrait of Richard Southey to whom Murray’s reminiscences are dedicated - the first parliament, responsible government, the Wynberg Railway, settlement of Kaffraria, the Grahamstown parliament... Mendelssohn (II: 70- 71). Minor wear to tip of spine, a nick to top edge, gilt a bit faded. Near Fine.