H.A.J.B. Hammerschmidt Medical Practitioner in Stellenbosch 1858-1860. (Signed by authors 11.10.1999) Numbered 4 of 200 copies.

The appearance of a new publication on the history of Stellenbosch is always an exciting occasion for collectors of Stellenbossiana, but when it illuminates a relatively unknown corner of our past, as this one does, it is even more noteworthy an event. So many books and articles on Stellenbosch repeat the same over familiar tales and statistics, that the present publication is as refreshing as a crisp breeze in the middle of January. Here are new facts, new stories and a wealth of local details most of which were last published in 1860 and until now not available to collectors.

It was whilst browsing in the Stellenbosch Museum's Reference Library that Wilma Malherbe first came across a photocopy of the Hammerschmidt Journal. She was immediately intrigued and together with her husband decided to try and find out more about this mysterious medical practitioner who appeared in Stellenbosch for two years and then vanished again without trace. Their researches extended to Europe, America and the East and resulted in some of the mysteries surrounding Dr. Hammerschmidt being cleared up. The original research was condensed into a paper: "Two year's medical practice and a description of Stellenbosch in the Western Province of the Colony of Good Hope during the time from October, 1860 by H.A.J.B Hammerschmidt" which Dr Malherbe delivered at the 1997 Congress of the Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Southern Africa.

Original half leather and matching dark brown boards, with gilt lettering to spine. Facsimile edition numbered 2 of 200 copies. 185 pages text with several illustrations. Half-title. Frontispiece. Title. Contents. The Authors. Foreword. Introduction.

Fine copy.