HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA - a complete set of the STAR edition, with 5 copies in original dust jackets

A curious fact is that one of the greatest historiographers of South Africa was not a South African but a Canadian journalist! George McCall Theal came to South Africa in 1870 at the age of 33 and held various academic posts, one being Keeper of the Archives of the Cape Colony. He was a prolific author and his work dealt on nearly all aspects of South African history.

This is a complete set of 11 volumes of the Star edition, so called for the corresponding number of asterisks on the spine of each volume in the series. The set is made up of different editions or impressions ranging from the period 1919 to 1927. The final two volumes are first editions. Five copies in this set still have their original dust covers. It is worth noting that the dust covers on these early editions are exceptionally uncommon.

1.) ETHNOGRAPHY AND CONDITION OF SOUTH AFRICA BEFORE A.D. 1505 - being a description of the inhabitants of the country south of the Zambesi and Kunene Rivers in A.D. 1505, together with all that can be learned from ancient books and modern research of the condition of South Africa from the earliest time until its discovery by Europeans.

Third impression, 1922.

xx + 466pp. Illustrated with plates (all present). A very good copy

2.) HISTORY OF AFRICA SOUTH OF THE ZAMBESI - from the settlement of the Portuguese at Sofala in September 1505 to the conquest of the Cape Colony by the British in September 1795.

Vol.I of III (Vol.2 in the Series)

Fourth impression, 1927.

xxi + 543pp. All plates & maps present. A fine copy with very good original jacket

3.) FOUNDATION OF THE CAPE COLONY BY THE DUTCH

Vol.II of III (Vol.3 in the Series)

Third impression, 1922.

xvii + 504pp. All plates & maps present. Sound binding with foxing to page edges and some contemporary underlinings at the section dealing on Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel. Theal notes "He (W. A. van der Stel) was the most corrupt of all men who have ever been at the head of affairs in this country".

4.) THE CAPE COLONY TO 1795, THE KORANAS, BANTU, AND PORTUGUESE IN SOUTH AFRICA TO 1800

Vol.III of III (Vol. 4 in the Series)

Third impression, 1922.

xiv + 514. All maps & plates present. A fine copy in near fine original dust jacket

5.) THE CAPE COLONY FROM 1795 TO 1828, THE ZULU WARS OF DEVASTATION, AND THE FORMATION OF NEW BANTU COMMUNITIES

Vol.I of V (Vol. 5 in the Series)

Fifth impression, 1927.

xix + 510pp. All maps & charts present. A fine copy in near fine original dust jacket

6.) THE CAPE COLONY FROM 1828 TO 1846, NATAL FROM 1824 TO 1845, AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE EMIGRANT FARMERS FROM 1836 TO 1847.

Vol.II of V (Vol. 6 in the Series)

Fifth impression, 1926.

xvi + 506pp. All maps & charts present. A fine copy in near fine original dust jacket

7.) THE CAPE COLONY FROM 1846 TO 1860, NATAL FROM 1845 TO 1857, KAFFRARIA FROM 1847 TO 1860, AND THE ORANGE RIVER SOVEREIGNTY AND THE TRANSVAAL REPUBLIC FROM 1847 TO 1858.

Vol.III of V (Vol. 7 in the Series)

xvi + 496pp. All maps present. A fine copy in near fine original dust jacket

8.) HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA FROM 1795 to 1872

Fourth edition, 1919.

Vol.IV of V (Vol. 8 in the Series)

xx + 500pp. All maps present. A very good copy

9.) HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA FROM 1795 to 1872

Third impression, 1920.

Vol.V of V (Vol. 9 in the Series)

viii + 462pp. All maps present. A very good copy.

10.) HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA FROM 1873 to 1884: TWELVE EVENTFUL YEARS - with a continuation of the history of Galekaland, Tembuland, Pondoland, and Betshuanaland until the Annexation of those territories to the Cape Colony, and of Zululand until its Annexation of Natal.

First edition, 1919.

Vol.I of II (Vol. 10 in the Series)

xvi + 352. All maps present. A near fine copy

11.) HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA FROM 1873 to 1884: TWELVE EVENTFUL YEARS - with a continuation of the history of Galekaland, Tembuland, Pondoland, and Betshuanaland until the Annexation of those territories to the Cape Colony, and of Zululand until its Annexation of Natal.

First edition, 1919.

Vol.II of II (Vol. 11 in the Series)

xi + 312pp. A near fine copy