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 Bored Stones of South Africa. (Signed) – Goodwin, A J H
A discussion of prehistoric and protohistoric examples of the bored stones of South Africa, rea by area, and type by type. Signed and inscribed by the author on front cover. “Of all the stone implements so abundantly found in South Africa the bored stone or “Ikwe” has attracted the most wide interest…. They are the…
Distribuição Étnica da ProvĂncia de Angola – Redinha, JosĂ©
Ethnic distribution in Angola (predominantly Bantu), comprising ten main ethnolinguistic groups. Fold out map at the rear. Insect nibbling to Page 21. Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover. Cardwraps with some light toning. Publisher: Center for Information and Tourism Date Published: 1965 Publication Place: Angola Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover. Cardwraps with some light toning.
Armas Insignias E Outros Objectos Nativos – None identified
An ethnographic study or museum catalog focused on the material culture of indigenous peoples. Translation: Weapons, Insignia and other native objects. Bookplate to verso of cover. Numbered descriptions for the photographs. Unpaginated. Very good. Softcover. Thick cardwraps. Mild handling marks. Publisher: Museu de Angola Date Published: 1970 Publication Place: Luanda, Angola Condition: Very good. Binding:…
Máscaras e Mascarados Angolanos (Uso, Formas e Ritos) – Rdinha, JosĂ©
An ethnographic study detailing the cultural significance of masks in Angola. It explores how masquerades act as spiritual mediators, social regulators, and educational tools within traditional ceremonies. A number of b&w photographs. 31 Pages. Publisher: Imprensa Nacional de Angola Date Published: 1965 Publication Place: Angola Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover. Limp cardwraps with mild edge-wear.
The Journal of the Mountain Club of South Africa. No. 49 for the year 1946 – None identified
Articles include: Kaokoveld; 1st complete ascent at the Great Spitzkop, SWA/Namibia; Blaauwberg (Northern Transvaal); Drakensberg; Cedarberg: Pakhuis Muntains, Sneeuberg and Breekkrans Twins; Drakenstein and Jonkershoek; and Table Mountain. A number of b&w photographs. 94 Pages. Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover. Limp cardwraps with some light edge-wear. Publisher: The Cape Town Section Date Published: 1947 Publication Place:…
The Old Wooden Walls: Their Construction, Equipment, etc – Falconer, William and Gill, Claude (ed)
An abridged edition of William Falconer’s 1769 marine dictionary. With 31 folding and other plates. 201 pages. Foxing throughout. Tape repairs to some of the folding plates. Bookplate to the front free endpaper. Reprint. Condition: Fair. Binding: Hardcover. General wear. Publisher: W & G Foyle, Ltd Date Published: 1930 Publication Place: London Condition: Fair. Binding:…
Almanach der Africaansche Landbouwers en Hoveniers. – Quinton, JC and van Wijk, W (translators)
African Gardeners’ and Farmers’ Almanac The complete text of a handwritten 18th-century Dutch manuscript. The text’s origin is unkown, but it has been suggested that it may have been based on notes from Van Riebeeck. An English translation follows the original Dutch. 37 pages. Inscription to the front free endpaper. Reprint. Condition: Very good. Binding:…
A History of South Africa to 1870 – Wilson, Monica and Thompson, Leonard (eds)
Based on the 1969 Oxford History of South Africa, these eight chapters detail South Africa’s history from precolonial times to 1870. 476 pages. B&W illustrations. Light foxing to the prelims and page edges. Reprint. Condition: Very good. Binding: Softcover. Scuffing to the back cover. Mild edge wear. Publisher: David Philip Date Published: 1982 Publication Place:…
Eighteen Years in South Africa. – Kärrström. E J & Rudner, Ione & Jalmar (Ed and Trans)
A Swedish gold-digger’s account of his adventures in the Land of Gold (1877-1896) When the author’s voyage as a sailor came to an abrupt end on the coast near East London, little did he foresee the adventures he would experience as a soldier in the Ninth Frontier War, the Zulu War and the Basuto Gun…
Wesleyan Missionaries in Great Namaqualand 1820-1867 – W G A Mears
“The Wesleyan Missionary Society attempted to establish mission stations in Great Namaqualand between 1816 and 1867,…. enduring privations and hardships with fortitude.” 26 pages. Patches of loss to the last two pages. A few words and phrases underlined in black ink. Second edition. Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover. Loss to top right corner of front cover….
The Park and Other Stories – Matthews, James
13 political South African short stories that were banned by the Apartheid regime. 102 pages. First edition. Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover. Publisher: BLAC Publishing House Date Published: 1974 Publication Place: Cape Town First Edition: Yes Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover.
Chaka the Zulu – Mofolo, Thomas
The story of the famous Zulu king. 125 pages. Includes six B&W illustrations. Reprint. Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover. Publisher: Oxford University Press Date Published: 1958 Publication Place: London Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover.
The Preservation and Restoration of Historic Buildings in South Africa – Immelman, R F M and G Quinn (editors)
An illustrated guide to encourage the correct restoration of worthwhile buildings in their context. 98 Pages. B&W photographs at the rear. Some sections underlined in pencil. Previous owner’s bookplate to front paste-down. Previous owner’s name written on the front free endpaper. First edition. Condition: Good. Dust jacket: Good. Edge wear with a few small tears….
State of the Cape of Good Hope in 1822 – Bird, W
No. 379 of a limited edition of 750 copies. From the rear cover: “The author was “Controller of Customs in Cape Town” who had opportunites of inspecting Government papers, estimates and statistics. This handbook gives full particulars with reference to the system of Government, Courts of Law and Burgher Senate, the “enregisterment of Slaves” together…
Portrait of Plettenberg Bay (signed) – Storrar, Patricia
A highly regarded history of this coastal town. Numerous B&W and colour photographs and illustrations. 242 pages. First edition. Condition: Very good. Dust jacket: Good. Edge wear with two small tears to the head and foot of the spine. Binding: Hardcover. Edge wear. Publisher: Purnell Date Published: 1978 Publication Place: Cape Town First Edition: Yes…
Good-bye Dolly Gray – Kruger, Rayne
The story of the Boer War. Includes several plates of B&W photographs. 539 pages. Reprint. Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover. Publisher: Pan Books LTD Date Published: 1974 Publication Place: London Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover.
Riding the Wave – Arbel, Andrea S
The Jewish Agency’s role in the mass Aliyah (immigration of diasporic Jews) of Soviet and Ethiopian Jewry to Israel, 1987-1995. B&W photographs. 296 pages. Previous owner’s initials to front paste-down. First edition. Condition: Very good. Dust jacket: Good. Binding: Hardcover. Publisher: Gefen Publishing House Date Published: 2001 Publication Place: Jerusalem First Edition: Yes Condition: Very…
Jewish Roots in the South African Economy (signed) – Kaplan, Mendel
An account of Jewish immigrants who pioneered sectors of industry and contributed to various fields in South Africa from the 17th century onward. Signed and inscribed by the author. Illustrated with B&W photographs. 415 pages. Light toning to the endpapers. First edition. Condition: Very good. Dust jacket: Very good. Binding: Hardcover. Mild edge wear. Publisher:…
The Lake Regions of Central Africa. – Burton, Captain Sir Richard F
A Picture of Exploration A combined ethnographic/geographic travel narrative of the author’s journey. Volume 1 of 2 only. With numerous B&W full-page and text illustrations. 412 pages. Some discolouration to the endpapers. Foxing to the top page edges. First edition. Condition: Very good. Binding: Hardcover. A few spots of foxing to the cloth binding. Publisher:…
Khoisan Pigments and Paints and their Relationship to Rock Paintings – Rudner, Ione
Annals of the South African Museum. Vol. 87. March 1982 A monograph. The purpose of this study “is to record as much information as possible on the pigments and paints that were, or may have been, used in the rock paintings of South Africa.” “It is also meant to serve as a comprehensive source of…
Cotton Weaving in South-east Africa: Its History and Technology – Davison, Patricia and Harries, Patrick
A scholarly article published in 1980 by Patricia Davison and Patrick Harries in the journal Textile History, Volume 11. From archaeological evidence, such as spindle whorls found at 26 different sites, it shows that cotton spinning and weaving were well-established long before European contact. The paper provides a detailed historical and technological analysis of indigenous…
The Sling, Especially in Africa. Additional notes to a previous paper – Lindblom, Gerhard
Smärre Meddelanden No. 17 A specialized ethnographic monograph focussing on the different styles of traditional razors and the material culture of shaving across various African regions, particularly East Africa. Numerous illustrations. Bookplate to verso of cover with a small stamp to half title page. 54 Pages. Condition: Very good. Binding: Softcover. Thin cardwraps with some…
The Forked Sledge in Southern Africa – Walton, James
An article by James Walton, published in 1954 in the journal Ethnos. The author, an expert in Southern African vernacular architecture and folk material culture, explores the history and distribution of the ox-drawn forked sledge, a simple transport device typically made from a naturally forked tree branch. 5 photographs and 2 illustrations. 10 Pages Reprint.Condition:…
A. Sparrman’s Ethnographical Collection from South Africa – Rudner, Ione & Jalmar
Smärre Meddelanden No. 25 A significant historical record of 18th-century indigenous South African material culture which were collected while Sparrman was traveling through the Cape of Good Hope and the interior of South Africa. It includes objects related to the Khoikhoi and San peoples, such as tools, ornaments, and household items. Small stamp to half…
African Razors. A Preliminary Study – Lindblom, Gerhard
Smärre Meddelanden No. 19 A specialized ethnographic monograph focussing on the different styles of traditional razors and the material culture of shaving across various African regions, particularly East Africa. Numerous illustrations. Bookplate to verso of cover with a small stamp to half title page. 54 Pages. Condition: Very good. Binding: Softcover. Mild toning to edges….
Nose Ornaments in Africa – Lindblom, Gerhard
Smärre Meddelanden No. 20 A scholarly monograph with the text providing a comparative ethnographical study of various types of nose ornaments used across the African continent, documenting their forms, materials, and cultural context. Includes illustrations and fold-out maps. Bookplate to verso of cover. Owner’s stamp to half title page. 56 Pages. Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover….
Spears and Staffs with Two or More Points in Africa – Lindblom, Gerhard
Smärre Meddelanden No. 14 An ethnological study examining specialized African multi-pointed weapons.37 Illustrations. Covering both practical, ceremonial, and magical/religious use of multi-pointed spears, such as rain-making items. The work is considered a valuable resource for identifying specialized African weaponry. Bookplate to verso of cover. Some handwriting to title page. 64 Pages. Condition: Very good. Binding:…
Carved Initiation Sticks and Bows from Taveta Kenya Colony – Lindblom, Gerhard
Smärre Meddelanden No. 23 A specific ethnographic study detailing ritual objects used by the Taveta people, who reside near the Kenya-Tanzania border near Mount Kilimanjaro. The study focuses on the art and material culture associated with Taveta initiation ceremonies, specifically the symbolic carvings found on wooden sticks and miniature bows used during these transitions to…
The One-Leg Resting Position (Nilotenstellung), in Africa and Elsewhere – Lindblom, Gerhard
Smärre Meddelanden No. 22 An ethnographical monograph focussing on a specific postural habit known as Nilotenstellung (Nilotic position), where a person stands on one leg and rests the other foot against the knee or thigh of the supporting leg. The “Nilotic position” is often associated with pastoralist societies. It is considered an efficient way to…
The use of the Hammock in Africa – Lindblom, K G
Smärre Meddelander. No. 7 An ethnographic study documenting the varied applications of hammocks across the continent, focusing on their use for transportation, particularly by colonial officers, and as a means for resting or sleeping in specific regions, likely noting the adoption of woven nets. Bookplate to verso of cover. With illustrations. 39 Pages. Condition: Very…