Bain's Railway Map of South Africa

This is the first edition of a fabulous map published c. 1903, shortly after the Boer War. It displays the completed railway lines and those still under construction at that time. The map also shows the post cart and steam ship routes. 

The map is undated but it provides useful clues. The line from Pretoria to Pietersburg is complete (1899); the line to Modderport is  'under construction' and this line was completed in 1904. The line to Hopefield was completed on 28 Feb 1903 and this is shown as complete on this map. So, it would seem the map was published some time in 1903 or 1904. 

The development of the railway routes from the mid 1870s to the turn of the century was one of the major infrastructural development successes of the Cape Colony under Responsible Government - the steel, locomotives and most of the wood for sleepers all were imported and delivered by steam ship. 

The map is dissected into 10 panels, mounted on linen and bound in its original red boards; this edition has no advertising. The boards and map are in very good condition.