Founded in 1990, family-owned Quagga Books has built a distinctive footprint in the antiquarian book trade with our eye for the unusual.
For an authentic experience, visit our Kalk Bay shop or browse through our interesting mix of books, maps and ephemera on our website.
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The White Lady of the Brandberg – Breuil, Abbe Henri
Volume one of The Rock Paintings of Southern Africa. A monograph on the rock painting in the Maack shelter in the Tsisab Ravine in the Brandberg of Namibia. A frontis and 22 colour plates, two are folding, along with a number of b/w photographs. Breuil claimed that the central figure in the rock panel had…
Vieira da Silva – Weelen, Guy
A portfolio with 12 colour plates by the artist and a 6 page biography. Housed in a lightly worn slipcase. Condition: very good. Publisher: Fernand Hazan Date Published: 1960 Publication Place: Paris First Edition: Yes Condition: Very good Dimensions: 28 x 35.5cm
The Cape – Quaint and Beautiful. Photographs from the Elliott Collection – [Elliott, Arthur], De Kock, Victor (ed)
The annotated catalogue of an exhibition of Elloitt’s photographs, mostly of Cape architecture, held at the University of Cape Town in 1938. Buff card wraps, brittle, cracked and loose. 49 pages, plus ads. Some tide marks to the bottom edge.
Eene (Een) Eeuw van Onrecht – Reitz, F. W(et.al.)
The rare first edition of this important Boer manifesto. Circulated anonymously just two days before the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Boer War (11 October 1899). Authored by Smuts, Reitz and Judge E.J.P. Jorissen. Original light green front wrap worn at the edges and spine. Back wrap is missing. Staple bound, 49 pages, text in Dutch….
Herinneringen Uit Zuid-Afrika – Tromp, Theod. M.
Ten Tijde der Annexatie van de Transvaal Black cloth covered boards with some wear. The lead up to the First Anglo-Boer War. Test in Dutch, 379 pgs. Condition: good Publisher: E.J. Brill Date Published: 1879 Publication Place: Leiden Condition: Good Binding: Hardcover
Hoe Men in Zuid-Afrika Fortuin Kan Maken –
Betrouwbare Gids Voor Aanstaande Emigraten, Door Iemand, Die Lang In De Transvaal Gewoond Heeft A facsimile reprint (number 88) of an historical Dutch emigration guide first published circa 1884. It was written to provide prospective Dutch emigrants with practical advice and conditions regarding the Transvaal and surrounding territories. Introduction in Afrikaans, text in Dutch. Condition:…
Studies in the History of Cape Town (six volumes in seven parts) – Saunders, C. (Ed)
Six volumes in seven parts (includes Research Resources). A compilation of papers on the topic of local history, many of them inspired by developments in the field of urban history, drawing on oral history and a commitment to writing the history of the ‘inarticulate’ ordinary men and women. Condition: Very good. Binding: Softcover. Light user-wear…
A Critical Survey of South African Poetry in English – Miller G.M and Sergeant H.
Tracing early colonial verse to mid-20th-century writing, charting a pivotal transition in the region’s literary history. Condition: Very good. Binding: Hardcover. Boards in very good condition. Gilt text on spine and publisher’s logo on front cover. Publisher: A.A. Balkema Date Published: 1957 Publication Place: Cape Town Condition: Very good Binding: Harcover Dimensions: 240 x 165
A Clear Description of the Cape of Good Hope / Klare Besgryving van Cabo de Bona Esperanca – Hondius, Jodocus, Van Oordt, L C (Trans.) & Serton, P (Intro and notes)
Facsimile of the text compiled by Jodocus Hondius and published by him at Amsterdam in 1652. Describing how South Africa must have looked to the men who sailed into Table Bay, in the evening of 6 April 1652. Language: English, Afrikaans and Dutch. Includes 3 folding plates and a folding map. Published for the Van…
Willem Adriaan van der Stel and other historical sketches – Theal, George McCall
Starting with the exploration of the West Coast of Africa by the Portuguese and the “discovery” of the Cape of Good Hope followed by the first voyages of the French and English to India and an early history of the Netherlands. War in the Netherlands until 1606 and war on the sea between Spain and…
Willem Adriaan van der Stel and other historical sketches – Theal, George McCall
Starting with the exploration of the West Coast of Africa by the Portuguese and the “discovery” of the Cape of Good Hope followed by the first voyages of the French and English to India and an early history of the Netherlands. War in the Netherlands until 1606 and war on the sea between Spain and…
Art and Articles. – Harmsen, Frieda (editor);
In honour of Heather Martienssen, Professor of Fine Arts, University of the Witwatersrand. Assisted by Cecily Sash and Shirley Kossick. Maurice Kahn (Graphic art editor). Limited edition, bound in de-luxe style and numbered 32 of 100. Presented to Heather Martienssen by former students and colleagues upon her retirement in November 1973. 1st Edition. Condition: Very…
Art and Articles. – Harmsen, Frieda (editor);
In honour of Heather Martienssen, Professor of Fine Arts, University of the Witwatersrand. Assisted by Cecily Sash and Shirley Kossick. Maurice Kahn (Graphic art editor). Limited edition, bound in de-luxe style and numbered 69 of 100. Presented to Heather Martienssen by former students and colleagues upon her retirement in November 1973. 1st Edition. Signed and…
Strat Caldecott 1886-1929 – Scholtz, J du P.
A description of the artist’s life and work. Illustrated with monochrome and full page colour plates. Folding plate to the rear not present. Includes a catalogue of all oil paintings and a list of drawings in various media selected for reproduction. 1st Edition. Afrikaans text Condition: Very good. Binding: Hardcover. Oatmeal cloth boards with green…
Ladies’ Guide to Health in Health and Disease – Kellogg, J.H. Dr
A popular medical text detailing girlhood, maidenhood, wifehood, and motherhood. It blended moral Victorian-era advice with progressive health reforms, including outdoor exercise and education for women. Condition: Fair Binding: Hardcover. 673 pages plus 33 plates. Full black leather blocked in gilt. Edges gilt. Front and rear corner-tips, including spine edges rubbed. Free-end pages have been…
Town Furniture of the Cape – Baraitser, Michael and Obholzer, Anton
A companion volume to Cape Country Furniture. 224pp, 900 black and white photographs and 30 colour plates. Condition: Very good Dustcover: Very good Binding: Hardcover. Previous owners signature on paste-down end paper, and blindstamp on title-page. Publisher: Struik Date Published: 1987 Publication Place: Cape Town First Edition: Yes Condition: Very good Binding: Hardcover Has Dust…
The Cape Beautiful : The Riviera of the South –
A collection of 15 colour plates reproduced from original paintings of Cape Peninsula scenery by artist A Stanley. A crisp copy of this scarce publication. Condition: very good. Binding: Stiff brown paper wraps, stapled and ribbon bound. Paperclip indent on title page and 2nd page. Publisher: Perry & Co Date Published: circa 1914 Publication Place:…
The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 20 – Various
An early 19th-century British periodical. It is an anthology of essays, natural history, poetry, and social commentary providing a comprehensive look at the intellectual interests, scientific curiosities, and cultural landscape of the early Victorian era. Condition: Very good. Hardcover. Half leather with marbled boards with some wear. Gilt to the spine with a closed tear…
The Poor White Problem in South Africa. 5 vols. – Grosskopff, Wilcocks, Malherbe, Murray, Rothman
5-volume sociological study funded by the Carnegie Corporation to investigate the roots of Afrikaner poverty following the Anglo-Boer War. The findings ultimately helped shape the social policies that formalised Apartheid. Volume 1: Rural Impoverishment and Rural Exodus – J.F.W. Grosskopf Volume 2: The Poor White – R.W. Wilcocks Volume 3: Education and the Poor White…
How I Found Livingstone: Travels, Adventures and Discoveries in Central Africa – Stanley, H.M.
Including Four Months’ Residence with Dr Livingstone 19th-century travelogue by journalist Henry Morton Stanley. Commissioned by the New York Herald in 1869 to locate the missing Scottish missionary David Livingstone, Stanley chronicles his perilous 700-mile expedition from Zanzibar to Ujiji. Condition: Fair. Binding: Hardcover. Front and back boards are scuffed with wear and fraying to…
Tyd en Dae : Essays – uitgesoek en ingelei deur W.A. de Klerk – Versfeld, Marthinus
A collection of essays by South African philosopher Marthinus Versfeld exploring the meaning of everyday life, ecology, and the generosity of the natural world. Condition: Very good. Hard cover. Dust jacket very good. Closed tear to right top corner of back cover. Previous owners inscription on front paste-down endpaper and blindstamp to the title page….
‘Jim’s Journal’. The Diary of James Butler – Butler, James and Garner, Jane (Ed)
From the rear cover: “James Butler… arrived in the Eastern Cape in 1876 as a sickly twenty-two year Londoner recuperating from a serious illness. ‘Jim’ was a Quaker, teetotaller and later newspaper editor, recorded in down-to-earth fashion the daily life, politics, natural history and social encounters of this far-off corner of the colonies.” Re-edited and…
A Century of History : The Story of Potchefstroom – Jenkins, Geoffrey
An historical account of South Africa’s oldest Voortrekker town. Commissioned to commemorate the town’s centenary celebrations. Includes black and white photographs and drawings. Second edition limited to 500 copies. Condition: very good. Hard cover. Blue cloth covered boards in very good condition. Gilt text on spine. Gilt publisher’s logo on front cover. Publisher: A.A. Balkema…
Stellenbosch Days – Henshilwood, Nora G.
A nostalgic account of life in historic town of Stellenbosch in the early 20th century. This short memoir is enhanced with illustrations by South African artist Cecil Higgs. Condition: Very good. Hard cover. Yellow textured cloth covered boards in very good condition. Boards have minimal wear and are touch-marked. Spine has very slight fraying at…
South African Prints and Drawings: Catalogue – Bull, Marjorie (ed)
Second volume of four catalogues detailing prints, drawings and acquisitions of the South African National Gallery up to 1 April 1969. Includes brief biographies of artists, with bibliographical references and b/w reproductions of the works. Condition: Very good. Binding: Softcover. Some light wear Publisher: National Gallery of South Africa Date Published: 1971 Publication Place: Cape…
South African Merchant Ships – B.D. Ingpen
An illustrated history of coasters, colliers, containerships, tugs and other vessels from 1910 – 1979. Includes 108 photographs with a comprehensive list of S.A. vessels detailing owners names, maps and diagrams. Condition: Very good. Binding: Hard cover. Dust jacket: good. Front cover has a closed cut top right front. Publisher: A.A. Balkema Date Published: 1979…
Typus orarum maritarum Guineae Manicongo & Angolae ultra promontoriom Bonae Spei usq.. The West Coast of Africa – Langren, Arnold Florent van
This map first appeared in Jan Huygen van Linschoten’s Itinerario, published in four parts in Amsterdam 1595-96 This is the English edition, published by John Wolfe in London in 1598 and it bears his imprint. Jan Huygen van Lindschoten, Dutch voyager, (1563 – 1611) entered the service of the Archbishop of Goa, and accompanied him…
Schlavoniae, Croatiae, Carniae, Istriae, Bosniae, Finitimarumque – Hirschvogel, Augustin
This copper plate engraved map spans the eastern Adriatic coast and the broader Western Balkans. It defines historic territories including Slavonia, Croatia, Carniola (Slovenia), Istria (Croatia/Slovenia/Italy), and Bosnia. Latin text to the verso, first line ending Regio-, indicating a first state of this important map of the Balkans. Condition: very good, uncoloured, wide margins, some…
Walachia, Servia, Bulgaria, Romania – Mercator, Gerard
A hand coloured copperplate engraved map covering the central and eastern portions of the Balkan Peninsula, tracking the lower basin of the Danube River down to the Black Sea, this region was the strategic frontier of the Ottoman Empire. Romania, Moldavia, Serbia, Bulgaria, North Macedonia & Kosovo.Northern Greece & European Turkey are covered. Condition: very…
Sclavomia, Croatia, Bosnia cum Dalmatiae Parte – Mercator, Gerard
A hand coloured copperplate engraved map that spans from the Drava River in the north down into Dalmatia, and from present-day Slovenia in the west to Belgrade, Serbia in the east. German text to the verso. From the German edition of Blaeu’s Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. Condition: good. Some wear and fraying to the lower part…