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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Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam – Fitzgerald, Edward (trans)
Eight illustrations all protected by tissue guards, with light foxing. Decorative boarders printed in two colours to the text pages. Printed on heavy stock with untrimmed edges. Inscription dated 25-12-1918. Condition: Very good. Binding: Hardcover. Dark blue calf boards with gilt borders. Front cover top left has discoloration mark. Back cover has sunning close to…
Cartoons of the Boer War – Staniforth, J M
Reprinted from the “Western Mail”. One cartoon with explanation per page. Toning to all pages. 112 Pages. 3rd Edition. Condition: Good. Bookbinder’s tape repair to the spine. Some general wear to the binding. Binding: Hardcover. Embossed patterned cloth boards. Edge-wear to all extremities. Publisher: Western Mail Date Published: 1900 Publication Place: Cardiff Condition: Good to…
Young Mrs. Murray Goes to Bloemfontein. – Murray, Joyce (Ed)
Letters edited by Joyce Murray The story of a bride who spent the first years of her married life in Bloemfontein in its early days. Light foxing to all edges. 156 Pages. Condition: Very good. Hardcover. Patterned boards over cloth spine. Some foxing to the spine. Publisher: A A Balkema Date Published: 1954 Publication Place:…
The Story of an African Farm – Iron, Ralph (Olive Schreiner)
An early edition of this classic South African novel. 296 Pages. Some scuffing to the dark green/black boards. Inscription to the fep. New Edition. (second). Condition: Good. Binding: Hardcover. Publisher: Chapman and Hall Date Published: 1889 Publication Place: London Condition: Good Binding: Hardcover
The Complete Short Stories of Jack London Volumes I, II and III – Jack London
210 of the author’s short stories. The chronological collection highlights his incredible range across the Northern frontier, Southern Seas, and social science fiction. Condition: Good to very good. Hardcover. Dust jackets: Good, some rubbing and creasing (all 3 volumes). Volume one: 2cm closed tear to bottom edge of spine. Volume two: small tear at top…
The Historical ‘Conversations’ of Sir George Cory – Berning, J.M. (ed.)
This volume records the 62 conversations or oral interviews Cory conducted with elderly people, black and white, about the history of South Africa in general, and the Eastern Cape frontier area in particular. Volume 9 of The Grahamstown Series. Condition: Very good. Dustjacket: very good. Binding: Hardcover. Brown cloth boards. Gilt lettering on spine, gilt…
Pioneer Travellers of South Africa. – Forbes, Vernon S
A Geographical Comentary upon Routes, Records, Observations and Opinions of Travellers at the Cape 1750 – 1800. The period between 1750-1800 saw great advances in exploration of the interior regions and expansion of knowledge of the physical and biological sciences. Notable travellers discussed are A Beutler, C P Thunberg, Francis Masson, Andrew Sparrman, Hendrik Swellengrebel,…
The Reminiscences of Amelia de Henningsen (Notre Mère). – Young, Margaret (ed)
Life story of the remarkable nun who dedicated her life to the orphans, the sick and the poor for 55 years in the Eastern Cape including the turbulent period of the Frontier War of 1850-3. Volume 10 of The Graham’s Town Series. Condition: Very good. Jacket condition: Very good Binding: Hard cover. Brown cloth boards…
Sir Andrew Smith. His Life, Letters and Works – Kirby, Percival R
Sir Andrew Smith, known for his scientific and anthropological studies spent fifteen years in South Africa where he found much scope for his talents as a naturalist. Inscription to front fep. 358 Pages. Included is a letter in the author’s hand. Condition:Very good. Hardcover. No dustjacket. Publisher: A A Balkema Date Published: 1965 Publication Place:…
The First South African. The Life and Times of Sir Percy Fitzpatrick – Cartwright, A P
No. 110 of the special de luxe edition of 250 copies. Bound in full green leather. Some small patches of loss to the green leather at the head and foot of spine and foredges of the binding. Condition: Good to very good. Hardcover Publisher: Purnell Date Published: 1971 Publication Place: Cape Town, Johannesburg, London First…
Heraldry of South African Families. Coats of Arms / Crests / Ancestry – Pama, C
Dealing with South African coats of arms as a whole. Tipped in colour plate of the Van Imhoff crest. Chapters include: Origin and development of heraldry in Western Europe; dutch heraldry; Bell- Krynauw collection; Heraldry in England; and Armorial. Includes a bibliography and Index of arms. 365 Pages. Inscribed by the author on the fep….
Gravelinga Gallis Gravelines Dicta – Blaeu, Joan and Willem Janzoon
Copperplate engraved map / plan of the French town of Gravelines. Central fold, uncoloured, old tape to the edges,. very good condition. Dutch text to the verso Sheet size: 59.4 x 48cm Platemark: 51 x 39.5cm Date Published: 1649
Nobilibus ac Amplissimis Dominis Urbis ac territorii Bergansis – de la Fontaine
A hand coloured copperplate engraved map of the Bergen district in Flanders. Central fold, Latin text to the verso. Old repaired tear to the upper left margin. Old tape to the page edges, well outside the platemark. Some mount burn outside the platemark. Sheet size: 58.5 x 49.5cm Platemark: 53.5 x 42cm Condition very good…
Descriptio veteris Agri Batavi et Frisii – Alting, Menso
Copperplate engraved map of old Netherlands and Friesland. Uncoloured, some age toning, tape to the page edges, well clear of the platemark. Verso blank. Sheet size: 49 x 38cm Platemark: 42.5 x 32.5cm Condition: very good Date Published: 1697
Artesia Comitatus Amstelodami – Hondius, Henricus
Copperplate engraved map of Artois (Artesia) in northern France, including the towns of Calais, Lille and Boulogne. Latin text to the verso. Hand colouring. Small patch of repaired loss to the central bottom edge. Central fold, old tape to the edges, well outside the platemark. Sheet size: 54.6 x 44.6cm Platemark: 49 x 38cm Date…
Comitatuum Hannoniae et Namurci Descriptio – Jansonius, Joannes
Copperplate engraving with early hand colouring. This map shows the countries of Hainaut and Namur, modern dy Belgium and northern France. Latin text to the verso. Central fold, old tape to the edges, well outside the plate mark. Sheet size: 54.5 x 44.5cm Platemark: 50 x 39cm. Condition: very good Date Published: circa 1643 Condition:…
Nova Antiquae Flandriae – Fabius, Nicasius
A new map old ancient Flanders. Copperplate engraving with central fold. Some age toning, old tape to the edges, outside of the platemark. Sheet size: 45.5 x 40.5cm Image: 45.5 x 33.3cm Date Published: circa 1641 Condition: very good Dimensions: 45.5 x 33.5cm
“Briton or Boer” Special Map of the Boer Republics – Wood & Ortlepp
A highly detailed folding map compiled for the British Field Intelligence Department during the Anglo-Boer War. Showing the sphere of war with insets of Pretoria, Kimberley, South Africa, Dundee, Ladysmith and Johannesburg. Condition: Very good. Some age appropriate toning and foxing. Some professional repairs to the folding wraps. Size: 91 x 61cm. Paper laid down…
The Stars at Noon. Inscribed. – Cochran, Jacqueline
With inscribed photograph and other ephemera First edition copy of this pioneering aviatrix’s biography, inscribed by Cochran to fellow aviator Mike Vialls of 1 Squadron SANDF. Also pasted to the fep is Cochran’s postage stamp and one of Eddie Rickenbacker. A 20.5 x 25.5cm inscribed photograph of Cochran, another unsigned photograph, a printed obituary and…
Colombia Prima or South America Drawn from the Large Map in Eight Sheets – De la Rochette
Some hand colouring to the borders of countries. A large map in four sheets, a reduction of the larger 8 section, first state map of 1811. Condition: good. Some age toning and spotting, short tears to the margins. This is the 5th state with additional Humbolt data along the bottom. Publisher: James Wyld Date Published:…
Carte Particuliere de la Cotte Occidentale de l’Afrique…de la Senega et de Gambie – d’ Anville, Jean
Western coastline of Africa from Mauritania to Guinea-Bissau. Showing Senegal and Gambia with much detail of the coast and along the main rivers. Copper plate engraving printed on two elephant folio sheets of heavy laid paper. Each sheet 83 x 55.5cm. Condition : good. Some light fraying to the edges. Date Published: 1751
Carta Esferica de Las Islas de Los Azores o Terceras… – Tofino, Vincente Miguel de San
This chart by Vincente Tofino, a prominent Spanish cartographer, is from the “Atlas Maritimo de Espana” and engraved by F. Selma. The chart focuses on the Azores Islands, a crucial mid-Atlantic archipelago for navigation during the Age of Sail. Condition: good. Neatly repaired central damage with small amount of repaired loss. Copper plate engraving on…
The Oppenheimer Series. 9 titles in 13 volumes. – Wallis, J P R (edited)
9 parts in 13 volumes. A complete set with the following titles 1. THE MATABELE JOURNALS OF ROBERT MOFFAT, 2 volumes 2. THE MATABELE MISSION OF JOHN AND EMILY MOFFAT 3. THE NORTHERN GOLDFIELD DIARIES OF THOMAS BAINES, 1869-72, 3 volumes 4. GOLD AND GOSPEL IN MASHONALAND 5. APPRENTICESHIP IN KURUMAN 6. THE ZAMBESI JOURNAL…
With the Boers in the Transvaal and Orange Free State 1880-81 – C.L. Norris-Newman
From the Africana Reprint Library volume 6. Norris-Newman, a British officer and author’s perspective on the first Anglo- Boer War. Norris-Newman chronicles the hostilities and the following peace negotiations from 1880-81. Reprinted edition. Condition: Very Good. Dustjacket condition: Very Good. Hardcover. Publisher: Africana Book Society Date Published: 1976 Publication Place: Johannesburg Condition: Very Good Binding:…
Through Shot and Flame – Kestell, J.D.
An account of the Second Anglo-Boer War (18991902). Kestell, who served as a chaplain and was part of the “Orange Free State triumvirate,” provides an eyewitness narrative of key battles like Colenso and the storming of Platrand, as well as the “Great De Wet Hunts”. The book is noted for its moving descriptions of the…
Africana Books & Pictures (Signed by the Author) – Bradlow, Frank R
A Selection of Published Papers Signed by the author. A selection of published papers featuring 19th century South African art and artists. 100 copies of this of this book in special quarter-leather deluxe binding and signed by the author Bradlow in blue ink. This copy is 1/100. 136 Pages. 1st Edition. Condition: Very good. Binding:…
The South African Library. Its history, collections and librarians 1818 – 1968 – C. Pama
An English and Afrikaans history of the South African Library, its collections, and its librarians edited be C. Pama. Contains 38 black and white illustrations and photographic plates. 216 Pages. 1st Edition. Condition: Very Good. Slight edge wear and discolouration. Hardcover Publisher: A.A.BALKEMA Date Published: 1968 Publication Place: Cape Town First Edition: Yes Condition: Very…
Biographical Memoirs and Reminiscences. (2 Vols) – Kotze, Sir John
The author has endeavored to describe life in Cape Town during the fifties and sixties of the last century. A time when South Africa had commenced a new chapter in its history and development. Ink stamp in front paste down end paper from previous owner in Volume 1. Volume 1 contains 36 black and white…
The Transvaal from Within: A Private Record of Public Affairs – J.P. FitzPatrick
A firsthand account of political life in the Transvaal leading up to the second Boer War. Ink inscription to free end page. Paste down book plate to paste down end paper. 452 pages. 6th Impression. Condition: Good. Hardcover Publisher: William Heinemann Date Published: 1899 Publication Place: London Condition: Good Binding: Hardcover
Thrice Through the Dark Continent: A Record of Journeyings across Africa during the years 1913-1916 – J. Du Plessis
A historical travel and missionary account, through Congo, Ivory Coast, Uganda, Mozambique, Cameroon. and Nigeria, written by South African theologian and author Johannes du Plessis. Contains 60 plate photographs and a map. 351 pages. 1st edition. Condition: Good. Slight edge wear. Hardcover Publisher: Longmans, Green and Co. Date Published: 1917 Publication Place: London First Edition:…