Robert Jacob Gordon - Cape Travels, 1777 to 1786

A two volume set of large quarto (244x308mm) hardcover books in the original publisher’s green cloth covered boards, with black labels on the spines bearing gilt titles. Published by Brenthurst Press in 1988, these volumes are of a standard limited edition of 850 sets. Both volumes are illustrated by copies of originals by Gordon and his companions; the maps which are included were prepared for this set by Dave McQueen of Johannesburg. The dust-wrappers are enclosed in protective film. Each volume is fitted with two coloured silk place markers.

Volume 1 has 6 preliminary pages and pages 7 to 225 of the text; coloured frontispiece of Colonel Robert, Jacob Gordon plus coloured plates 1 to 43 and two maps. The binding and dust-wrapper are in Good+ condition. Volume 2 has 6 preliminary pages and pages 233 to 465 of the text, including the index; Coloured frontispiece of Gethyllis ciliaris (commonly known as the Koekemakranka of the north-western Cape Province) plus coloured plates 44 to 90; the binding is in Good condition but the green top is sun faded towards the back; the original illustrated dust-wrapper is in generally Good condition but shows more signs of wear than that of volume 1, there being a closed tear near the top of the front hinge and wear to the top of the spine. Not a perfectly matched set

Brenthurst Press was started, in the early 1970s, by Mr Harry Oppenheimer, to make available the resources of the Brenthurst Library to a wider audience. It was his desire to do so by producing books to an archival standard and which would be both scholarly and attractive. The books in this set relate the activities and travels of Colonel Gordon, military commander of the Cape garrison under the Dutch East India Company. Amongst other achievements, he reached the Orange river, which he named after the Prince of Orange and was also responsible for the introduction of Merino sheep to South Africa - and indirectly to Australia.