Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #128 begins on 15 Jan 2026

Rice, Elsie Garrett & Compton, Robert Harold

WILD FLOWERS OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE,

with a Foreword by Field-Marshal the Rt. Hon. J.C. Smuts. O.M.

Published: Kirstenbosch, Botanical Society of South Africa, [1951]

Edition: De luxe edition

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24 pages of text, ccl pages of plates, vi pages: chiefly colour illustrations. Full leather with some wear to edges of spine. Spotting to preliminary pages.

Signed by Rice & Compton on a label laid down on front endpaper.

No. 483 of an edition limited to 500 copies.     

Piet Beukes in his book SMUTS THE BOTANIST (Human & Rousseau, 1996) notes that this was the 61st and last Foreword Smuts would write. He completed it just days before his 80th birthday. Beukes suggests that it was the most important he wrote, since in it he gave full expression to his love of the beauty and diversity, the uniqueness, of Cape flora. Beukes (p. 11) also quotes Smuts writing to Lulu Bolus about this Foreword and suggesting that, although he had written it in a hurry it was longer than normal and he hoped it would be of interest to others 'who do not know some of the facts and theories about our Cape flora'.      

  • Binding Condition: Very good
  • Overall Condition: Very good
  • Size: 25 x 19 cm
  • Sold By: Select Books
  • Contact Person: David McLennan
  • Country: South Africa
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 021-4246955
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Credit card; EFT
  • Trade Associations: SABDA


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