THE TRANSVAAL AND ITS MINES (1906)

This historical account provides a comprehensive overview of the Transvaal region's history, geography, and topography, serving as a reference work with numerous monochrome photographic illustrations and maps, with a focus on its gold mining industry. The book is considered a valuable reference work, particularly for its detailed information on the Transvaal's political landscape, including its governance, conflicts with native tribes and the British Empire, and the impact of the gold rush. Its historical context details the Transvaal's history from the Great Trek of the Boers in the 1830s, their establishment of the South African Republic, and the subsequent challenges they faced. With its focus on mining, the book delves into the socio-political landscape shaped by the discovery of gold and diamonds, exploring the tensions between the Boers and the uitlander (foreigner) population, and the role of the British Empire. With numerous in-text and full-page photos of documentary evidence and 11 multiple folding photographic plates.

The book consists of four large Chapters:

1) "The Transvaal and its Mines (The Encyclopedic History of the Transvaal)";

2) "Pretoria and Johannesburg, and the country towns of the Transvaal, including the professions, many of the principal commercial houses, and industries";

3) "The Mining Industry of the Transvaal" (with sections: Mining Administration in the Transvaal; Department of Mines; Transvaal Mining Regulations; The Foreign Labour Department; Chinese Labour on the Rand; The Transvaal Chamber of Mines; The Witwatersrand Gold Mines; Outlying Mining Districts; Diamonds in the Transvaal; The Base Metals and Minerals of the Transvaal; The Coal-Mining Industry of the Transvaal; plus a double-page "Table of South African Strata, demonstrating Transvaal geology");

4) "Lourenco Marques, the nearest port of entry for the Transvaal" (Portuguese East Africa).

This momentous work also includes 11 multiple folding photographic plates showing:

- "Panoramic View of Pretoria";

- "Panoramic View of Johannesburg";

- "Panoramic View of Barberton ('The Switzerland of South Africa')";

- "Panoramic View of Germiston";

- "Panoramic View of the West Rand Capital - Krugersdorp";

- "Panoramic View of Pietersburg";

- "Panoramic View of Standerton from the East";

- "The Property of the Robinson Gold-Mining Company - the premier "show" mine of the Rand;

- "Sport on the Famous Wanderers' Grounds, Johannesburg";

- "The Thoma Brewery, Braamfontein, Johannesburg";

- "Panorama of the Lingham Trading Company's Timber Yards, Port Matolla, Delagoa Bay" and "The Company's Cattle Craals, Port Matolla, Delagoa Bay".

This is an extremely rare copy of this precious work, hard to find even in National and University Libraries - and the only copy selling on internet!

Original publisher's burgundy/maroon hardcover binding. Gilt title to the front board and spine and gilt Royal Coat of Arm with inscriptions "Dieu et mon droit" and "Transvaal". Page edges gilt; Text in English; Collation complete - Title page, Photographic frontispiece, 677 pages, Index, with numerous in-text and full-page photos of documentary evidence and 11 multiple folding photographic plates (the complete text block on glossy paper); Binding is tight and firm, with usual shelf wears mostly to the extremities, corners slightly bumped, boards and spine little worn and bumped to the extremities, with one short dent (1 cm) to the bottom extremity of the front board. Hinges and joints are generally strong and whole, except a two short incipient cracking to the upper and lower part of the joint of the rear board (5 cm). Pages/text block bright and very clean, no markings, with very rare light foxing or fingerprints, mostly to the white margins. A few pages with a very small and only superficial tears. Traces of light soiling to page edges from the side of the first 80 pages. A small piece of the lower marginal corner of page 592 is missing. A small trace of ex-libris label to the spine. A sound copy.

IMPORTANT informations regarding shipping: A heavy item (ca 4.5 kg). Shipping to South Africa possible via national post ($80) or Fedex/DHL Express service ($150-200). Shipping to EU & UK via registered Airmail trackable parcel ($60-80). Shipping to US via USPS/Fedex ($100). For other countries please ask.