The South African Provisional War Stamps. A complete history (1901) (from the library of Andre Bezuidenhout)

Slight as it is, Poole\'s little book may today be the most sought-after contemporary publication on the provisional stamps of the Anglo-Boer.

In just 56 pp + 6 single-sided plates of 31 figures (see images), it set a simple and clear example for the rush of material to published in the next few years, both in Britain and elsewhere.

Vice-president of the Junior London Philatelic Society and editor of the \"West-End Philatelist\", Bertram Poole summarised his work as \"A complete history of the famous V R I provisionals of the Orange River Colony and Transvaal, Mafeking siege stamps, and other local issues created by the exigencies of the present war between Boer and Briton in South Africa\"

The red paper covers, black to all faces, have small pieces missing at the head and foot of the spine and at four places on a back-page edge, but with no loss of lettering. There are two stickers on the covers - a small white 1983 price and code sticker with Bezuidenhout\'s initials on p i, and a neat yellow Edinburgh bookseller\'s sticker on p iii. The first and last pages of the text are sunned, but the rest - in fine letterpress on coated paper, with heavier art for the plates - is undiscoloured and without ownership or other marks.