The History of National Roads in South Africa

A quarto (214x295mm) hardcover book in the original red-brown imitation leather covers with gilt titles to the front and spine and with edges gilded, in very good condition. The first fifteen pages are devoted to preliminary matters and pages 1 to104 are text, including References, an Appendix and Index; Profusely illustrated in colour and black and white. This volume, although not numbered or signed, has all the attributes of a "de luxe" edition.

When the Union of South Africa was created, in 1910, it was felt that long distance travel was a matter for the railways, while other vehicles would be restricted fairly closely to urban areas. Railways were always a national matter but roads were regarded as a provincial affair. By 1935, however, the road traffic had grown to such an extent that it was felt necessary to create a National Road Board to recommend, to the Governor-General, that certain roads should be improved or constructed in the national interest. The old Road Board was eventually replaced by a National Transport Commission, but its task was incredibly well done. As an example while a road reserve of 20 feet would have sufficed in 1935, the Board recommended 100 feet to accommodate two dual carriageways. This book was written to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the creation of the Road Board - and the incredible advances in road building, especially between 1965 and 1985.