Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #114 begins on 11 Apr 2024

(Phillipps, Thomas)

Scenes and Occurrences in Albany and Caffer-Land, South Africa

Published: William Marsh, London, 1827

Edition: First

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This book was published anonymously. Attributed to Thomas Phillipps (Mistakenly spelt "Phillips" in some references). A common mistake is to identify the fold out hand coloured frontispiece as an aquatint, but it is a lithograph. There are two reasons for this mistake. The first is that the book was issued with a piece of paper glued over the title at the bottom of the frontis to correct the name of the Kowie River. In some copies where the correction slip has come loose one can see that it was first printed as the "Rownie River". This correction slip in many cases obscures the small lettering at the bottom of the illustration which, as in this case, clearly states "Drawn on stone". The second reason is that most illustrations of the time were printed from metal aquatint plates and in this case the lithographer used his crayon in a style that resembles an aquatint.

This is a scarce book. It does turn up without the half title, as in this case. Copies without the half title have invariably been re-bound, indicating that it may have been present, but jettisoned by the binder.

This copy is bound in a late Victorian style with smooth brown calf leather with gilt titling and decorations on the spine and marbled paper covered boards. Marbled paper end papers. The W.H. Coetzer book plate is on the front paste down. Extra end papers. Fold out hand coloured lithographed frontispiece, xvi prelims, 214 pages.

The best reference book on Thomas Phillipps was published in 1960: "Phillipps, 1820 Settler" edited by Arthur Keppel-Jones in consultation Philliipps' great-granddaughter E.K. Heathcote.

CONDITION DETAILS: The binding has a little edge wear. There is a pen name on the obverse of the frontis. A little scattered foxing. The half title is not present. Overall a delightful and attractive copy.

  • Binding Condition: Attractive
  • Overall Condition: Above average
  • Size: 187 mm x 123 mm
  • Sold By: Gandolph's Books
  • Contact Person: Arnaud Labuschagne
  • Country: South Africa
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: +27 11-624-1752
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Cash, Cheque deposits in Rands, bank transfers.
  • Trade Associations: AA Approved


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