EXTREMELY IMPORTANT J.B.M. HERTZOG AUTOGRAPH ARCHIVE. 1938 - 1939

This archive comprises circa. 60 one-sided manuscript or extensively edited typescript pages in the hand of J.B.M. Hertzog in his last two years as Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa. They are all drafts of letters, notes and articles which Hertzog then passed on to a secretary for formal typing and one would guess were preserved as keepsakes by the same secretary or another member of the Prime Ministerial office staff. Some of the letters/articles are accompanied by carbon copies of the final typescripts. Many (but not all) of the autograph pages have been removed from a notebook, presumably Hertzog’s own notebook used for this purpose.  Included in this archive are some hugely important documents such as Hertzog’s address to the people of South Africa after his resignation in September 1939 and his long letter to his son Albert Hertzog in March 1939. Below is a list of some of the more important items, not necessarily in chronological order:

     1. Als. dated 19 June, 1938, to Mrs. Mary Croft, Grand President, United Council of Sons of England Woman’s Association. Concerning her complaint about the omission to fly the Union Jack or play God Save the King on Union Day. In English.

     2. Als. dated 21 June, 1938, to O.A. Oosthuizen, Organiseerde, Verenigde Suid-Afrikaanse Nationale Party. On a similar subject concerning the unfortunate Union Day incidents and the controversy arising therefrom. Accompanied by the 3pp. carbon copy typescript of the final letter. In Afrikaans.

     3. Als. dated 22 June 1938, to “My Dear Adler”, also regarding the “unfortunate Union Day incidents” and resolutions related to this by the Executive Committee of the United Party as well the Cape Peninsula Members of Parliament and others. In English. Note: Both pages of this letter have been torn across but easily reparable.

     4. Autograph speech with extensive autograph changes, circa 1800 words, to Parliament (presumably) regarding the unfortunate Union Day incidents. In English.

     5. Als. nd. to the Cape Peninsula Members of Parliament acknowledging receipt of a copy of their memorandum regarding the “unfortunate Union Day incident”. In English.

     6. Autograph speech/article dated 14 May 1938 “Beroep op die Kiesers” addressed as “Mede Afrikaners”. Concerning the General Election 0n 18 May 1938. In Afrikaans.

     7. Autograph speech/article nd. addressed “Aan my Mede Vrystaters”. In Afrikaans.

     8. Als. dated 22 January 1938, to Mr. Adyananda, thanking him and his society for the gift of a book “The Cultural History of India” and discussing Indian culture and the part played by India in civilisation and the progress of the world. Accompanied by the 2pp. carbon copy typescript of the letter. In English.

     9. Highly important 3pp. foolscap typescript speech with extensive autograph edits and additions, dated 6 September 1939, concerning his resignation as Prime Minister. This followed his disagreement with Smuts on South Africa’s participation in the Second World War. The document is addressed to: “Geagte Volksgenote, Seuns en Dogters van Suid Afrika”. In Afrikaans. Accompanied by the front page of “The Star” dated September 5, 1939, announcing Hertzog’s resignation and Smuts as new Premier.

     10. Fine 1pp. als. dated 20 June 1938, to Judge Greenberg, the full text being: “My Dear Judge Greenberg, At this moment of saddest trial for the Jewish People over the world, I desire to send you my heartiest wishes for a successful gathering on Friday evening in your attempt to obtain the necessary funds in support of the Zionist movement to establish a national home for Jews in Palestine. That your endeavors may meet with a maximum of success exceeding all expectations , is my sincere wish. Sincerely yours”. In English.

     11. Foolscap typescript speech with heavy autograph changes, nd. Addressed to “Geagte vriende, Mede-Afrikaners van Tanganyika”. Accompanied by 2pp. carbon copy typescript of the final speech and also a manuscript copy of the same speech in another hand. In Afrikaans.

     12. Signed als. (this one not a draft but the posted letter together with an addressed envelope in Hertzog’s hand) to “Liewe Jooste”, “Privaat Secretaris, Eerste Minister, Unie Gebou, Pretoria”. In Afrikaans.

     13. Foolscap typescript speech/?article with heavy autograph changes, nd. Titled “Pietermartizburg Centenary Celebrations”. In English.

     14. Highly important 6pp. foolscap typescript with extensive autograph changes and additions, dated 26 January, 1939. To his son Albert, being his comprehensive reply to Albert’s “Oproep aan die Afrikanervolk en sy Politieke leiers”. A major document reflecting Hertzog’s political philosophy. In Afrikaans.

     15. Autograph documents 4 March 1938, in Hertzog’s hand “Announcement to Parliament by the Prime Minister” and “Verklaring and die Volksraad deur Eerste Minister”. Announcing dissolution of Parliament on 11 April, Nominations by 26 April and the Election to take place on 18 May. In English and Afrikaans.

In addition to the above there are a further 20 or so pages of manuscript notes, letters etc. – some incomplete.

Condition: The material is preserved in a “skivertex” album with clear plastic sleeves. The documents are of varying size, some removed from a note pad. Most are in very good condition apart from the one torn letter referred to above.

A MAJOR SOUTH AFRICAN TWENTIETH CENTURY POLITICAL ARCHIVE.   

General James Barry Munnik Hertzog KC, better known as Barry Hertzog or J. B. M. Hertzog (6 April 1866 – 21 November 1942), was a South African politician and soldier.He was a Boer general during the second Anglo-Boer War who became Prime Minister of the Union of South Africa from 1924 to 1939. He was the first National Party Prime Minister, later PM of the Coalition Government (with the Labour Party), and lastly PM of the United Party after the coalition with Smuts. Throughout his life he encouraged the development of Afrikaner culture, determined to protect the Afrikaners from British influence. He is the only South African Prime Minister to have served under three British Monarchs (George V, Edward VIII, and George VI). 

Albert Hertzog - Johannes Albertus Munnik Hertzog (Afrikaans pronunciation: [ˈalbərt ˈɦærtsɔχ]; 4 July 1899, Bloemfontein – 5 November 1982, Pretoria), J.B.M. Hertzog’s son,  was an Afrikaner politician, cabinet minister, and founding leader of the Herstigte Nasionale Party. He served as the South African Minister of Health from 1954 to 1958 and as Minister of Post and Telecommunications from 1958 to 1968. As the latter, Hertzog is famous for his refusal of implementing television service in South Africa. In 1969, after being purged from the National Party for his reactionary and exclusive Afrikaner Nationalist views, Hertzog founded the Herstigte Nasionale Party ("Reconstituted National Party"). The HNP was opposed to what it viewed as the National Party's deviation from its founding principles under Hendrik Verwoerd's successor, John Vorster.