First edition: 462 pages, frontispiece portrait, numerous folding maps, folding panoramas and plates, 8 reproductions of freehand sketches showing some of French's and the enemy's positions between the Vaal River and Barberton, May - October 1900 in pocket at end, original red cloth back and black cloth sides, hinges weak, edges uncut with foxing on the fore-edge, a good copy.
Mendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography volume 1, page 617, ‘The purport of the volume is "to follow the fortunes of our cavalry in the South African War dealing chiefly with the work of the mounted troops under the leadership of Sir John French. The writer was an enthusiastic admirer of the dashing cavalry leader, and remarks that his feats will have their place in military annals among the most notable achievements of which cavalry can boast. The volume contains detailed accounts of all Sir John French's marches and engagements, from his actions around Colesberg to his services in the far north-west of the Transvaal, and there is a good description of the brilliant manner in which the Relief of Kimberley was executed, and an account of the pursuit of Cronje until he was headed off at Paardeberg. Few works on the war have been prepared with such thorough attention to detail, and every chapter is accompanied, at its conclusion, by a series of plans, maps, and illustrations of an elaborate nature. The appendices consist of articles on “Cavalry,” “Reconnaisances,” “Remounts,” and “Transport.” The volume was written by a gentleman who was not a soldier by profession, and belonged to the somewhat hotly abused class of capitalists and mining magnates.
Goldmann was associated with powerful mining and financial groups in the Transvaal. He became a partner in the S. Neimann companies in 1895 and by 1905 was Chairman of six mining companies. He acted as war correspondent during the Boer War for the Argus and the Standard. This monumental work is probably the best illustrated campaign study of the war.
- Overall Condition: A good copy
- Size: Thick 8vo (230 x150mm)
- Sold By: Clarke's Africana & Rare Books
- Contact Person: Paul Mills
- Country: South Africa
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 021 794 0600
- Preferred Payment Methods: Visa & Mastercard via PayGate secure links and Bank transfers.
- Trade Associations: ABA - ILAB, SABDA
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