Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #130 begins on 09 Apr 2026

Autograph Letter:

CECIL JOHN RHODES (1853-1902)

Reserve: $350

Approximately:

Estimate: $450/500

Bidding opens: 9 Apr 16:30 GMT

Bidding closes: 16 Apr 16:30 GMT

Ships from: South Africa

Lot 9 preview

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Two page letter on one folded sheet dated Sept 26/93 to 'My Dear Tewater, I am sorry to have missed you but I had no idea you would arrive so soon. I would have waited but a steamer had been detained at Beira to wait for our party...'

He concludes, '….You can understand it is only these facts that prevent my awaiting your arrival and personally showing you the country which is a good one, Yrs. C. J Rhodes.' Referring to the country which was to become Rhodesia.

'Thomas Te Water, politician and medical practitioner. Influenced by his life-long friend        J.H. Hofmeyr (Onze Jan), Te Water joined the Afrikaner Bond and stood successfully as the Bond candidate for Graaff-Reinet in the election of 1893. He proved an able parliamentarian and acted as government whip during the second ministry or C.J. Rhodes.' Dictionary of South African Biography, Volume V. pages 766/7.

The letter is folded with short tears at the folds.



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