SOUTH AFRICA - illustrated by a Series of one hundred and four permanent Photographs (1888)

The two line entry in Mendelssohn's bibliography does not do this work justice as it is one of the most impressive and interesting South African photography books from the late 19th century. Harris was able to capture many images that later proved to be historically significant, most notably being:

The Blaauwkrantz Bridge near Grahamstown. It was here where, in 1911, a passenger train approached the bridge at high speed and derailed, causing three carriages to plummet into the dark ravine below.

The photographs of Zulus dancing and Zulus in war dress, captured less that a decade after the battles of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. The photo of three Zulu chiefs is also a famous one.

Numerous photographs of the Kimberley diamond mines.

Early photographs of Potchefstroom, the town founded by the pioneer Voortrekkers, which later became the capital of the Transvaal Republic.

A very early photograph of the boomtown Johannesburg, depicting only a few shacks and tents on a bleak, windswept plain, which soon after became the gold mining capital of the world.

An early morning market in boomtown Johannesburg.

Many historically significant photographs of the Witwatersrand mining works in and around Johannesburg.

Condition: The original full-leather binding is worn on all corners and spine ends. The front panel is detached. There are a few early pencil scribbles done by a young person on the blank sides of the leaves and on the blank margins of the photographs. There are also a few tears. The photographs, however, are still in very good condition and reveal great detail when viewed in hand. Certainly this copy would benefit from some professional restoration but, as is, can serve as the master copy for a re-issue.