Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #131 begins on 21 May 2026

Reynolds (Gilbert Westacott)

THE ALOES OF SOUTH AFRICA (Subscribers’ Edition)

With a foreword by Field-Marshall J.C. Smuts

Published: The Aloes of South Africa Book Fund, Johannesburg, 1950

Edition: Subscribers' Edition

Reserve: $60

Approximately:

Estimate: $80/90

Bidding opens: 21 May 16:30 GMT

Bidding closes: 28 May 16:30 GMT

Ships from: South Africa

Lot 90 preview

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Subscribers' Edition: 520 pages, 77 colour plates, numerous black & white illustrations, original red simulated leather gilt - small marks where the original dust jacket adhered to the simulated leather. This is a common problem with this book, the jacket is no longer present, top edge gilt, a very good copy.

Special Subscribers’ Edition, limited to 500 copies. This book is number 253. Signed by the author.

Editor's note: PART 1 of this work includes chapters on the following subjects: Brief Historical Sketch of South Africa up to 1652, Maps and Place Names, The Aloes of Simon van der Stel's Expedition to Namaqualand in 1685-86, Oldenland's Kruid Boek and the Aloes in the Company's Gardens in 1695, various Expeditions and Travels, a Bushman Rock Painting depicting two Aloes, Bibliographical Notes and References, Aloe Taxonomy and Nomenclature simplified for the amateur, etc.

PART 2 comprises the classification of the 132 South African species of Aloe, and includes name, author, synonymy, pre-Linnean citations, full description based on plants in the wild state, herbarium material, type locality and distribution, nearest allies and distinguishing characters, native names and legends, medicinal uses: natural hybrids listed and illustrated, Index, Glossary of Terms etc. Keys to the Sections, Series and species, are given in simple form, while the text is in simple language throughout. 572 black and white figures, which include almost all species illustrated as they grow wild, together with their flowers natural size. 77 Large natural-colour plates of aloes as they flower wild throughout South Africa.

Published by the Trustees, The Aloes of South Africa Book Fund.

  • Overall Condition: Very good
  • Size: 4to (280 x 200 mm)


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