Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #114 begins on 11 Apr 2024

Arthur Elliot and W.R. Morrison.

South Africa through the Centuries.

Told in a Series of 1,000 Photographs by Arthur Elliot With Descriptive Notes by W.R. Morrison.

Published: Maskew Miller, Limited (Printer), Cape Town, 1930

Edition: First

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The Elliott Collection, totalling 10,504 glass negatives, was bought from his estate by the Historical Monuments Commission and has been housed, since 1940, in the Cape Archive, where it may be viewed by the public and photos. purchased. A cat. is available to researchers. Elliott was born around 1870, in Boston and died in Capetown, on 20 Nov., 1938, from stomach cancer. He had a very colourful and adventurous life. He owned the 1st phonograph in the Transvaal and played it for Gen. Joubert and Paul Kruger in 1891. 

The figures at the base of Oom Paul's statue on Church Square, he was convinced, were modelled from his photos. of an old Voortrekker taken when he worked in Pretoria. No port. of Piet Retief is known to have survived. Elliott created the well-known picture of Retief, using a photo of one of Retief's relatives for the purpose. The 1st exhibition of 600 photos, was held in Nov., 19l0, in Capetown. Theal provided the historical commentaries. The 2nd of 800 photos., was to be opened in early Sept., 19134 and traveled from Capetown to Pretoria and other places. Theal did the commentaries. Guarantors, of whom Dr. Engelenberg was one, were asked to put down £25.0.0.6 The 3rd exhibition of 400 photos., entitled "Old Cape Colony", graced the Capetown City Hall in 1926. Old landmarks were prominent and the fine series of Malay types was introduced. 

Elliott toured the country with an exhibition of 1100 photos., entitled South Africa through the Centuries, in 1930. After a successful 6 weeks in Cape Town, it went to Stellenbosch, Paarl and Wellington and was intended thereafter to visit Bloemfontein, Kroonstad, Johannesburg and Pretoria. Dr. Engelenberg again stood as a guarantor. Elliot's final exhibition in 1938, a few weeks before his death, was entitled "The Cape Quaint and Beautiful" and was primarily concerned with Architecture.

Reference source.

South Africa's Treasury of Theal. (In preparation.) 

Note. The Catalogue offered is Morrison's historical commentary on the photographs exhibited. 

  • Binding Condition: Wrappers good
  • Overall Condition: Good
  • Size: 24 x 18.5 cm
  • Sold By: Ex Libris
  • Contact Person: Dr. P.J.B. Lamb
  • Country: South Africa
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 0829364794
  • Preferred Payment Methods: EFT or Paypal with a 5% surcharge to cover additional costs.
  • Trade Associations: AA Approved


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