Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #130 begins on 09 Apr 2026

Sutton (S. Jno.)

EXCEEDINGLY RARE STUDIO CARD BY S. JNO. SUTTON, UMTATA, TEMBULAND, DEPICTING PORTRAIT OF CHIEF KRELI - circa 1878

Published: S. Jno. Sutton, Umtata, Tembuland, c.1878

Reserve: $450

Approximately:

Estimate: $650

Bidding opens: 9 Apr 16:30 GMT

Bidding closes: 16 Apr 16:30 GMT

Ships from: South Africa

Lot 3 preview

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An exceedingly rare studio card by S. John Sutton who worked from Umtata, Tembuland. The location description on the card is interesting as Tembuland was annexed by the Cape Colony in 1885 and was afterwards known as Transkei. This dates the image to shortly before 1885 but quite possibly around 1878 when Kreli (1810-1892), King of the Xhosa nation from 1835 until his death in 1892, voluntarily surrendered to the British forces after he led a series of frontier wars.

  • Overall Condition: Very Good


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