WHERE THE ALOE GROWS and other Songs of South Africa (1912) - scarce early poetry with signature of Samuel C. Cronwright-Schreiner

A scarce and early volume by South African poet Beatrice Bromley.

42 page softcover with title on front panel and green outline of an aloe.

This copy is initialled at the top edge of the front panel by Samuel Cronwright-Schreiner. On the title page it is signed by Cronwright-Schreiner and dated "12.5.12. De Aar". There is an old Cradock Public Library stamp on the inside of the front wrap.

Samuel Cron Cronwright (1863-1936) was a farmer, politician, author and biographer of his wife Olive Schreiner, author of The Story of an African Farm. After his marriage to Olive he changed his surname to the hyphenated Cronwright-Schreiner, which even today is still regarded as progressive. They settled in De Aar in 1907 and remained there until Olive's death in 1920, after which he moved to Cape Town. His biographical writings on his wife are significant, although his manner of approach was controversial as he destroyed letters which he deemed unimportant and published letters and writings which Olive expressly stated in her will should never be made public.