An account and album of photographs, 260 x 300 mm, describing a hunting trip to South West Africa organised by ten members of prominent farming families from the Graff Reinet area in June and July 1928 including Koch's, Minnaar's and W.H. Kempen who was mayor of Victoria West.
The album starts with 11 pages of printed text edited by Luckhoff describing the journey and the hunting and contains 155 silver gelatin photographs neatly mounted on 46 leaves. Some are full plate, others half plate and many smaller images are in very good condition. Captions are written in white ink beneath each photograph.
Each of the ten members contributed £75 (pounds) to buy, fit out and provision two lorries. Each took a shot gun and a rifle, besides two big guns, (9.5 supplied by Muller, Capetown) at £16 10s. each and cartridges, £20. The Minnaar Brothers brought three rifles, 9.5 at £17 10s., their own property; each man had his own rifle besides.
The account continues in daily diary form describing the journey to South West Africa and the state of the roads and the progress made. Gobabis was reached on 25th June when they shot their first animals - gemsbok and a fine Koodoo (sic) as well as ostrich. At Naosanabis they encountered to South West Africa police on camel patrol. From Stampriet they followed down the Auob Valley which teemed with game which provided good sport for the hunters. They encountered and photographed 'Kalahari Bushmen' in their traditional setting.
In concluding remarks Luckhoff comments: 'We covered roughly 2,500 miles on the entire trip. Distance to shooting grounds by road too far. Party too big for comfort. Overloaded the cars - a lot of useless paraphernalia - excess baggage, guns, wireless set, dogs, pots and pans. The roads on the whole were fairly good - parts indifferent and rest sandy and heavy. Weather all round fine; nights cold but daytime warm and pleasant. We found the best shooting round Gababis and in the Auob Valley. The health of the party on the trip, with minor ailments, was excellent.' Robert Luckhoff was a medical doctor and the likely photographer.
The album was issued privately in a very small number intended for the members of the expedition and family members only. It is bound in limp black leather covers tied with pink ribbon.
