PRETORIA BESIEGED

Henri Ferdinand Gros

Pretoria Besieged (1880–1881)

Rare First Anglo-Boer War Photographic Album

A self-published photographic album containing 45 original albumen prints by Swiss photographer Henri Ferdinand Gros, documenting the siege of Pretoria during the First Anglo-Boer War (1880–1881). Original bound volume now separated into loose double-sided leaves; binding in poor condition, but the photographs themselves remain in good, well-preserved condition.

The opening leaf—depicting Church Street East, including Gros’ house and studio—shows a small paper chip/tear. Pages exhibit minor foxing and light discolouration consistent with age. Several images feature group portraits of soldiers, military encampments, defensive positions, and scenes of daily life inside the besieged town. Some photographs also appear in a related publication, News from the Camp.

Image titles either appear in writing in the album or inscribed on the original negative of the image.

The album is believed to contain Gros’ handwritten title on the front leaf, adding significant historical and collector value. The number of copies originally produced is unknown, but surviving examples are scarce.

Historical Significance

These photographs were created by Gros while Pretoria was cut off from the outside world, offering a visual record of the town’s military and civilian experience during the siege. Gros’ images are among the earliest and most important photographic documents of the First Anglo-Boer War, capturing both the human and strategic dimensions of the conflict.

Provenance

By family record, the album was likely presented by Gros to his friend George Jesse Heys (1852–1939), prominent Pretoria entrepreneur and owner of Melrose House. Heys himself appears in one of the group military photographs.

Following the municipality’s acquisition of Melrose House, the album—together with other Heys family ephemera—was transferred to Tudor House on Church Square (Heys’ former offices). It later descended to Heys’ great-granddaughter, from whom it has been acquired (Hardijzer & Cowie personal communication, June 2026)

Henri Ferdinand Gros (Swiss, active 1869–c.1890)

Gros worked in Burgersdorp, Bloemfontein, New Rush (Kimberley), and finally Pretoria, where he established the city’s first double-storey photographic studio. His work documents the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, the First Anglo-Boer War, and the early development of Pretoria with technical skill far ahead of his contemporaries.

Photo-historian Carol Hardijzer writes: “Without the Gros photographs, we would not have had an idea of what Pretoria looked like between 1875 and 1890.” (theheritagheportal.co.za)

Gros’ images remain foundational to the visual history of Pretoria during the 1st Anglo-Boer War

Rarity

Original Gros albums relating to the First Anglo-Boer War are virtually unobtainable. Complete or even partial sets of his siege photographs seldom appear on the market, and examples with early provenance—particularly linked to George Jesse Heys—are of the highest Africana significance.

Shipping

While it is preferred that this rare heritage item remain in South Africa, international shipping can be arranged at the buyer’s expense. Collection remains the preferred option.