THE DIAMOND MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA (Presentation copy of the Author’s edition)

New edition: 2 volumes, 359 + 353 pages, photogravure frontispiece portrait of Williams in volume I and colour frontispiece of diamonds in volume 2, 15 maps - 4 double page, 1 double page coloured plan of Kimberley mine in 1877 and 1 large folding map at the end of volume 2, 26 photogravures and numerous other plates and illustrations some coloured, marbled end papers, uncut fore edge with light foxing, top edge gilt, full brown leather bindings with a gilt vignette on the upper cover and titled gilt with decoration on the spines, the spines are faded, as well as the top of the front cover in volume 2, a good set.

Presentation inscription on a front free end paper reads: With compliments of Gardner F. Wiiliams.

The limitation reads: There have been prepared On e thousand copies of the Author’s edition of the Diamond Mines of South Africa of which this set consisting of 2 volumes is no 367

Mendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography, Volume 2, page 614: The author of this historical and practical account of the diamond industry, and especially of the South African diamond mines, was for many years the general manager of the De Beers Consolidated Mines, a gigantic undertaking founded by the late Cecil John Rhodes. The volume contains a full description of the mines with the fullest details respecting their working.

Mr Gardner Williams initiated the present system of work pursued in all underground diamond mines, and the work is replete with valuable information, and is the standard authority on all matters connected with diamonds and diamond-mining. In addition to this, the work contains an account of the celebrated diamonds discovered in bygone times, a description of the discovery of the Kimberley group of mines and the rise of the surrounding townships, chapters on the formation of the diamond, the methods of cutting and polishing the jewels, a description of the early and modern diamond-mining machinery, and an Appendix containing an account of Kimberley during the South African War. The volume is elaborately illustrated and many of the engravings reproduce ancient maps and charts and photographs of the greatest interest and rarity in connection with the diamond fields.