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.

We ship worldwide using a secure airmail process.

144 Photographic Views, Panoramas etc., –

R220.00

Showing the Principal Places of Interest throughout the Whole of South Africa. Also most interesting Scenes and Studies taken from Life. 144 images. Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Rhodesia, Bulawayo etc. and The Orange River. Contents loose and becoming disbound. Date Published: circa 1890 First Edition: Yes Condition:…

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Uddgren, H. E.

Hjältarna vid Magersfontein – Uddgren, H. E.

R1,540.00

en Skilding av den Skandinaviskas Kôrens och Ambulansens öch Äventyr A scarce publication on the Scandinavian involvement in the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Loosely translated as The Heroes at Magersfontein. A Description of the fate and adventures of the Scandinavian Corps and Ambulance. These volunteers fought on the side of the Boers and suffered heavy losses…

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Leipoldt, C. Louis

Die Heks ‘n Toneelstuk in Een Bedryf – Leipoldt, C. Louis

R165.00

Eleventh edition of this Afrikaans play. First published in 1923. Four illustrations. Paper age toned. Splitting to the wrap on the bottom edge of spine Publisher: Nasionale Pers. Date Published: 1943 Publication Place: Kaapstad Condition: Good Binding: card wraps

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Shaw, E.M. and van Warmelo, N.J.

The Material Culture of the Cape Nguni. Part 3- Subsistence only – Shaw, E.M. and van Warmelo, N.J.

R605.00

Part 3 – Subsistence of this 4 part set. Card wraps with toning and handwritten title to the spine. Part of an important study of the Xhosa speaking people who are thought to have inhabited the Eastern Cape (Transkei) since the late 16th century. Condition: Very good. Binding: card wraps Publisher: South African Museum Date…

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Shaw, E.M. and van Warmelo, N.J.

The Material Culture of the Cape Nguni. 4 volumes. – Shaw, E.M. and van Warmelo, N.J.

R2,420.00

Forming volume 58, parts 1-4 of the Annals of the South African Museum. Part 1 Settlement (1972), part 2 Technology (1974), part 3 Subsistence (1981)and part 4 Personal and general (1988). 949 pp. Card wraps with toning and handwritten titles to the spines. An important study of the Xhosa speaking people who are thought to…

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Album of Postcards and Photographs of Steam Locomotives –

R715.00

An album with 44 German postcards of Steam Locomotives, circa 1910 and 19 photographs of South African Locomotives. The postcards are unused and the photographs have a postcard stamp of the Railway Society of Southern Africa to the verso, with the Title / Engine, location and photographer noted. All cards in very good condition. Wear…

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Nicholls, Horace W.

Uitlanders and Colonists who Fought for the Flag 1899-1900 – Nicholls, Horace W.

R6,380.00

A Series of 110 First-Class Colotype Photographs, illustrating life with The Imperial Light Horse and other South African Volunteer Regimants. Other regiments photographed are, Bethune’s Mounted Infantry, Natal Carbineers, S.A. Light Horse, Boarder Mounted Rifles, Natal Field Artillery, Brabant’s Horse, etc. Staining and wear to the green cloth boards. 2cm closed tear to one of…

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Szalay, Miklós

Die ethnographische Südwestafrika – Sammlung Hans Schinz 1884-1886 – Szalay, Miklós

R495.00

Mostly black and white photographs with descriptions in German. The collection covers the San, Khoi (Nama), Herero and Ambo. Publisher: Volkerkundemuseum der Universitat Zurich Date Published: 1979 Publication Place: Zurich First Edition: Yes Condition: Very good Binding: Sorftcover

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Dale, Sir Langham

Stone Implements in South Africa (2 Papers) – Dale, Sir Langham

R110.00

Cape Monthly Magazine Vol.1: 236-239 and 365 – 367, 1870 and a note by A.B. (A Brown?), pp. 366-367, 1890 Photocopies of articles fron the Cape Monthly magazine. Some marginalia by Rudner. reprint very good card wraps Condition: very good Binding: card wraps Dimensions: 8vo

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Small, Adam & Wissema, Jansje

District Six – Small, Adam & Wissema, Jansje

R605.00

A selection of Jansje Wissema’s District Six from her complete portfolio is brought to life and complimented by a text specially written for the occasion by Adam Small, one of District Six’s greatest interpreters. Some wear to the wraps and tidemarks to the inside of the rear wrap with a 1 x 3cm hole to…

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Sauer, P, Pirow, Oswald

Birds of the Kruger and Other National Parks – Sauer, P, Pirow, Oswald

R990.00

This is the subscriber’s edition, limited to 400 copies. This being number 28. Text in English and Afrikaans. Publisher: The Wildlife Protection Society of South Africa Date Published: 1959 Publication Place: Johannesburg First Edition: Yes Condition: Very good Dimensions: 22 x 34cm

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The South African Annual –

R440.00

Glorious Holiday Trips. Rest. Recreation & Sightseeing November of 1907, No. 2. Pages 23/24 and 27/28 are missing and pg 29/30 is cut in half. Bound in a cloth hardcover binding and signed by Eric Rosenthal. Tape repair to the last page. Some splitting and wear. Date Published: 1907 Dimensions: 28.5 x 43cm

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Dronsfield, John

Ink and Watercolour on Card – Dronsfield, John

R990.00

John Marsden Dronsfield (1900–1951) was an English-born graphic artist, painter, and stage designer who became a prominent figure in the South African art scene. Born in Lancashire, he was largely self-taught, having only briefly studied at the Manchester School of Art. Following his death by suicide in 1951, several memorial exhibitions were held in Cape…

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Audubon, John James

The Birds of America – Audubon, John James

R1,375.00

This 1937 edition is significant as it is the first time that Audobon’s complete series of illustrations was made widely available in a single volume. The 435 plates from the original elephant folio edition are present, plus an additional 65 plates from the 8vo edtion. Very good Hardcover. No jacket. Publisher: Macmillan Date Published: 1937…

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Talbot-Booth, E.C.

All the World’s Fighting Ships – Talbot-Booth, E.C.

R0.00

Numerous illustration and fold-outs. Wear to the binding, previous owner’s markings. Publisher: Sampson Low Date Published: Circa 1940 Publication Place: London Condition: Fair Dimensions: 14 x 11cm

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Mengeldichten – Bruiloft Gedichten –

R990.00

Pagination starts at pg 233 and runs to 518. Followed by an 8 page index with includes the first 232 pages. Worn cloth binding. Decoration the page edges. A few short tears. Some pencil notes to the fep. Very good Hardcover Publisher: P van der Kloot Date Published: 1738 Condition: Very good Binding: Hardcover

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Brodrick, Alan Hughton

Mirage of Africa – Brodrick, Alan Hughton

R110.00

A travel and anthropological account of the author’s journey southwards to the heart of the Sahara and beyond to the savannas of the Sudan and the fringes of the great forests. 33 illustrations. 212 Pages. First Edition. Condition: Good. Biding: Hardcover. Cloth boards with some light wear to head and foot of spine and corners….

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Kannemeyer, A J

Hugenote-Familieboek – Kannemeyer, A J

R880.00

Language: Afrikaans. Huguenot families who came to the Cape. Includes the heraldry of families as well as a few b&w photographs of individuals. Mild foxing to page edges with light foxing to front and prelims. 282 Pages. First Edition. Very good. Hardcover. Cloth boards. Publisher: Unie-Volkspers Beperk Date Published: 1940 Publication Place: Cape Town First…

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Donaldson & Hill

Orange Free State Directory. 1899 – 1900 – Donaldson & Hill

R1,980.00

An historical record from a pivotal era in South African history, capturing the state of the republic just as the Second Boer War (1899–1902) began. Includes: General index; Towns Index; Bloemfontein streets index; Post Cart Routes and time tables index. Farmers and Others – district with wards therein in order of rotation. List of peripatetic…

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None identified

The Wine Book of South Africa. The Western Province of the Cape and its Wine Industry – None identified

R385.00

A commercial production intended to create awareness of the production of wine at the Cape. Numerous advertisements articles on various aspects of wine production and the history of wine at the Cape. Illustrated with many black and white photographs. Cancelled Regent library stamps to front fep and title page. Previous owner’s name and a bookplate….

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Botha, Colin Graham (Cape Archives) & Malherbe-Leliveld (Trans)

Die Kaapse Hugenote – Botha, Colin Graham (Cape Archives) & Malherbe-Leliveld (Trans)

R550.00

Translated from the english title “The French Refugees at the Cape”. The author has endeavoured to give a brief account of the arrival and settlement of the French Refugees at the Cape in the 17th Century especially with regard to farming operations and their knowledge of viticulture. Name of previous owner on front-paste-down. Note regarding…

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Gutsche, Thelma

No Ordinary Woman. – Gutsche, Thelma

R605.00

The Life and Times of Florence Phillips Biography of an extraordinary woman who made an indelible mark on South Africa and the lives of her country-men. Some thumbing. Numerous illustrations. Some foxing to top edge. 432 Pages. Contents clean and binding sound. 1st edition. Condition: Good. Dust jacket: Good. Some loss to head of spine…

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Proud, Hayden & Snyman, Wilhelm (Eds)

Hanns Ludwig Katz – Proud, Hayden & Snyman, Wilhelm (Eds)

R440.00

Catalogue published for the occasion of the opening of the Hanns Ludwig Katz exhibition in Cape Town on 24 November 1993. 127 Pages. First Edition. Condition: Very good. Binding: Softcover. Mild edge-wear. Publisher: South African National Gallery Date Published: 1994 Publication Place: Cape Town First Edition: Yes Condition: Very good. Binding: Softcover.

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Walton, James

Water-Mills, Windmills and Horse-mills of South Africa – Walton, James

R550.00

The first comprehensive account of the hand-mills, water-mills, windmills and horse-mills in South Africa. Numerous B&W photographs and sketches. 204 pages. First Edition. Condition: Good. Dust jacket: Good. Edge-wear with some chipping to all extremities. Small loss to the head of spine. Foxing to verso. Binding. Hardcover. Wear to the edges. A few abrasions. Publisher:…

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Fleisch, Axel & Möhlig, Wilhelm J G

The Kavango Peoples in the Past – Fleisch, Axel & Möhlig, Wilhelm J G

R825.00

Seven historical and cultural texts from Northern Namibia. A number of figures and photographs. Chronicles from the Tjaube, Geiriku, Shambyu and Kwangali. 344 Pages. First Edition. Condition: Very good. Binding: Softcover. Cardwraps with mild edge-wear. Publisher: Rüdiger Köppe Date Published: 2002 Publication Place: Koln First Edition: Yes Condition: Very good. Binding: Softcover.

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Henning, P H

‘n Boer in Argentinië (signed) – Henning, P H

R935.00

Text: Afrikaans. Signed by the author with a few ink corrections to page vii. Handwritten notes and a newspaper cutting tipped in. After the defeat of the Boers (Afrikaners) in the Second Boer War, a large number emigrated to Argentina and settled in Patagonia establishing an agricultural community that retained the Afrikaans language. A180 Pages….

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Schadeberg, Jurgen & Hulme, George

The Kalahari Bushmen Dance – Schadeberg, Jurgen & Hulme, George

R550.00

B&W photographs and text detailing the lives of the Kalahari bushmen, with a focus on spiritual dance traditions. Bookplate to card wrap verso. First edition. Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover. Edge wear. Scuffing to the spine. Publisher: Wildwood House Ltd Date Published: 1982 Publication Place: London Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover.

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Williams, J Grenfell & May, Henry John

I Am Black. The Story of Shabala – Williams, J Grenfell & May, Henry John

R418.00

The story of a young Zulu man who leaves his father’s kraal to go and work in the Johannesburg mines, the underground workings of which are magnificently described. Mild foxing and toning to the prelims. 206 pages. Third edition. Condition: Very good. Dust jacket: Good. Edge wear and chipping to the edges. Scuffing and a…

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Strydom, Lauritz

Rivonia — Masker Af! – Strydom, Lauritz

R275.00

The true, dramatic story of the Rivonia sabotage trial. Previous owner’s name and details to half-title. Includes B&W photo photographs. Previous owner’s name and details to front free endpaper. Discolouration spots to some of the pages. 162 pages. Third edition. Condition: Good. Binding: Hardcover. Some scuffing and edge wear to the boards. Publisher: Voortrekkerpers Date…

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Peters, Walter

Baukunst in Südwestafrika 1884-1914 – Peters, Walter

R935.00

German architecture between 1884-1914 in former German South-West Africa (Namibia). Text: German. 406 B&W illustrations. Scuffing to the covers. Sunning to the spine. 338 pages. First edition. Condition: Good to very good. Binding: Softcover. Mild edge wear. Publisher: Vorstand der SWA Wissenschaftlichen Gesellschaft Date Published: 1981 Publication Place: Windhoek First Edition: Yes Condition: Good. Binding:…

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