Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #114 begins on 11 Apr 2024

F.C. SELOUS (Frederick Courteney)

Sunshine and Storm

Being a narrative of events in Matabeleland both before and during the recent native insurrection up to the date of the disbandment of the Bulawayo Field Force

Published: Rowland Ward, London, 1896

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This copy published in 1896, the same year as the first printings, which are bound in khaki cloth, most copies of which are found today badly stained, discolored, aged, and the spines of those copies are most often darkened to an ugly dark brown. The first printings have black zebra pattern endsheets, whereas this copy has reddish. I think this copy is striking for its reddish endsheets as well as its reddish cloth. Certainly this copy's variant binding is far more uncommon than the khaki cloth.

This copy has fading to spine, staining to cloth, and other signs of prior use.

This is the "second edition" but perhaps more appropriately referred-to as the second printing.

The photos are part of the description, so study them carefully, as they are very helpful, and of the actual book being sold.

Mendelssohn's entry for this book in his Bibliography:

*SELOUS, FREDERICK COURTENEY : Sunshine and Storm in Rhodesia. Being a narrative of events in Matabeleland both before and during the recent native insurrection up to the date
of the disbandment of the Bulawayo Field Force. . . . With map and illustrations. London : Rowland Ward & Co., Ltd. . . . xxvii + 290pp. 8vo. 1896.

After the close of the Matabele War, Mr. Selous returned to England,
but in 1895 was offered an appointment in Matabeleland, and proceeding
to Rhodesia, took up the management of the Essexvale Estate in the
neighbourhood of Bulawayo. He was busied in the organisation of the
property till March 1896, when the rebellion of the natives broke out,
and he assumed the command of the H troop of the Bulawayo Field
Force, which he retained till the conclusion of hostilities. The author
was of opinion that the removal of the police force from Matabeleland
to the Transvaal (Jameson Raid), "gave the natives their opportunity to
revolt," but he asserts that the leaders of the insurrection had long deter-
mined on rising whenever the circumstances were favourable to the move-
ment. The causes of the discontent amongst the natives were, the exaction
of "a certain amount of paid labour from every able-bodied man," the
confiscation of cattle, and the endeavour on the part of the Matabeles to
free themselves from the restraints of a settled form of government. In
addition to a full account of the rebellion, there is a supplementary chapter
recording some of the author's views on the Anglo-Boer question, in which
he states that "a war between the Boers and British can only be a calamity
of incalculable dimensions to both races."

  • Jacket Condition: n/a
  • Binding Condition: Very Good
  • Overall Condition: Very Good
  • Sold By: Springbok Books
  • Contact Person: Wade Burgess
  • Country: United States
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 1-505-382-2875
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Money order / Cashiers check / Personal check / PayPal with a surcharge
  • Trade Associations: AA Approved


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