The Transvaal of To-Day . . . (1881)

War, Witchcraft, Sport, and Spoils in South Africa

The first edition appeared in 1878, before the first Anglo-Boer war, while this "new and cheaper edition", unchanged, came out three years later, of just after that war.

Aylward, who lived in South Africa for 10 years before he wrote this book, wore several hats. He was a commandant of the Transvaal Republic and a captain in the Lydenberg Volunteer Corps, "the first body of foreign troops in South Africa", while his dedication is to the Royal Engineers "as a token of his appreciation of their South African services".

Rebound in half maroon leather and red leather-cloth, with gilt lettering to the front and spine and new cream endpapers. xii + 323 pp of text and appendix + folding map + 24 pp of publisher's announcements.

The new binding is excellent, and the endpapers and contents are unmarked, undiscoloured and better than very good. There are a few very small brown spots on half-title and title leaves, on the back of the map and some leaves of the publisher's announcements, which were printed on poorer paper.

This is a fine and collectable copy.