Collection of 39 Lawrence Green titles, mostly first editions and including several rarities, two signed by the author plus two of the author\'s handwritten letters

Lawrence Green may have been the leading twentieth century non-fiction author-reporter writing about African people, places, stories and history.

During an active career spanning four decades, he wrote more than a book a year, even allowing for a five-year gap during the second world war. His stories continue to inform and fascinate new generations of readers - and collectors.

Green\'s first six books were published from London between 1933 and 1940, and in their original editions these titles remain scarce and, especially when in good or better condition, command high prices. Howard Timmins of Cape Town then became his regular publisher and Lawrence Green books appeared regularly from the Timmins house between 1945 and 1972. Even during this period, however, perhaps another 10 Green titles were handled by other publishers.

Depending on which list one consults, Green authored between 45 and 48 titles in English, as well as two which were published in Afrikaans as well.

The 39 titles in this lot therefore represent a very good collection, acquired over several years. This lot may be an excellent starting point for a new collector, or it may have sufficient appeal for an existing collector. Supplementary information will be provided on request by email to prospective bidders.

To make the titles easier to find, the books in the following list are placed in alphabetical rather than chronological order (and including \"A\" and \"The\").

Except where otherwise stated, the titles are first editions from the Timmins stable (which also republished most of the pre-war books) in at least very good condition, with no inscriptions, dustjackets not price-clipped, and covered in Mylar or similar materials. Short notes accompany the rarer book entries.

A Decent Fellow Doesn\'t Work

A Giant in Hiding

A Taste of South-Easter

Almost Forgotten, Never Told. Inscribed to owner and signed by author

At Daybreak for the Isles. Condition only good as dustjacket is price-clipped and the dustjacket and endpapers are chipped and there is one inscription.

Authors\' Post-War Guide. Allen & Unwin, 1947. Scarce

Beyond the City Lights

Eight Bells at Salamander

Full Many a Glorious Morning. Condition only good as pages slightly tanned

Great African Mysteries. Timmins reprint of Green\'s first book, which was originally published in London by Putnam in 1933. One inscription

Great North Road. Overall condition remains very good despite slight paper loss at the head of the spine of the dustjacket

Grow Lovely, Growing Old. Condition only good because the dustjacket has slight wear

Harbours of Memory. Dustjacket condition only good

I Heard the Old Man Say. Condition only good because of jacket edge-wear and price-clipping

In the Land of the Afternoon. Condition only good because of 2 mm paper loss at top of dustjacket spine, price-clipping and inscription

Islands Time Forgot. Putnam, 1963. Scarce

Karoo. Jacket condition good

Lawrence Green: Memories of a Friendship. Jacket condition only good because of shelf-wear and inscription

Like Diamond Blazing. Ebenezer Bayles, 1966. Jacket condition good, book fine. ScarceLords of the Last Frontier

On Wings of Fire. Jacket condition only good

Panther Head: The Story of the South African Bird Islands. Stanley Paul, 1955. Jacket condition only good. Scarce

Secret Africa. Timmins reprint of pre-war title. One inscription

So Few Are Free. Fourth edition. Signed by author

Something Rich and Strange. Condition good. One inscription

South African Beachcomber

Strange Africa. Timmins reprint of pre-war title

Tavern of the Seas

The Best of Lawrence Green. Edited by Scott Haigh. Bailey Brothers. Scarce

The Coast of Diamonds. Timmins reprint of pre-war title

The Coast of Treasure. Citadel Press reprint of pre-war title, 1973

The Drums of Time

There\'s a Secret Hid Away. Second edition

These Wonders to Behold. Includes two letter from the author to the owner of this copy about correcting an error in the next edition

Thunder on the Blaauwberg. Jacket condition only good. One inscripton

To the River\'s End

Under a Sky Like Flame. Condition only good

When the Journey\'s Over. Includes errata slip. Green\'s last book (1972)

Where Men Still Dream. The first Lawrence Green book published by Timmins (1945). This is a copy of the fifth edition (1951), which contained a considerable amount of new material. Dustjacket condition only good