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.
Scott’s Last Expedition – Barrie, J M (Intro) & Markham, Sir Clements R (Preface)
Contains detailed diary entries documenting the journey to the South Pole. Map of the British Antarctic Expedition 1910-13 showing the track chart of the main southern journey. School prize label on front fep. 521 Pages. Reprint. Condition: Very good. Binding: Hardcover. Cloth boards with sunning to spine. Mild edge-wear. Publisher: John Murray Date Published: 1933…
Battles of The Boer War – Pemberton, W Baring
Numerous photographs, drawings, maps and prtraits. Previous owner’s name to fixed end paper together with a small bookshop label. Some ink scribbling to front fep. A few spots of foxing to a couple of pages. Faded tint to top edge. 216 Pages. First Edition. Condition: Good. Dust jacket: Good. Price clipped. Wear to head and…
The Kaleidoscopic Transvaal. – Jeppe, Carl
A personal account of life in the Transvaal from 1870 until after the Anglo-Boer war. Light scattered foxing. Splitting to rear end papers. Red dye from the cloth has seeped into the edge of the end papers. 266 Pages. Publisher: J C Juta and Co Date Published: 1906 Publication Place: Cape Town, Johannesburg &c Condition:…
The Petticoat Commando or Boer Women in Secret Service. – Johanna Brandt
An historical account written by the author documenting the real-life experiences of Boer women who engaged in espionage and resistance during the Second Anglo-Boer War (18991902). 10 illustrations. Colonial Edition. Book plate and name of previous owner to the front end papers with paper repairs to front and rear end papers. Mild scattered foxing. 374…
The Logs of the Alabama and the Sumter. – Semmes, Captain R
From the private journals and other papers of Captain Raphael Semmes (1809-1977), Confederate States Navy. Possibly lacks title page and title illustration. Chapter 31 references Table Bay and Simonstown. 16 pages of publishers catalogue at the rear. Marbled end papers with a label to front fep. 297 Pages. Condition: Very good. Binding: Hardcover. Rebound in…
Taking of the Slaver, Meermin 1766 – Sleigh, Dan & Westra, Piet
Historical study of a desperate struggle on the open sea between slaves and crew of the Meermin. The ship finally ran aground near Cape Agulhas in 1766. Details about the origin of Cape slaves at the time, with what they were bought, how they were transported, treated, employed and punished by the government of the…
Naval Ratings Handbook. B.R. 1938 –
Published for the benefit of all ratings of all branches of the Service and is issued to each rating when he joins the Royal Navy. Previous owner’s name and a label to front end papers. 190 Pages. Condition: Very good. Binding: Hardcover. Cloth boards with gilt. Some mild edge-wear. Publisher: Naval Training Department. Admiralty Date…
Manual of Seamanship for The Officer of the Deck. – Hourigan, Lieutenant P W
Ship under sail alone Compiled for the watch officer of a ship under sail, providing the present-day sailor with a long look at the romance, professionalism, and tedium of a bygone day. Contains chapters on making and taking in sail, studding sails and bracing the trimming of yards, general duties and routine at sea of…
Sea Flags. Their General Use – Mead, Commander Hilary P
Published for the use of officers of the Mercantile Marine. Includes miscellanwous flags and signals such as for ‘depth of water on the bar’, ‘wreck’, ‘powder’, ‘petrol’, etc. 105 Pages. Some light foxing to all edges. Condition: Good. Binding: Hardcover. Cloth boards. Some light edge-wear. Publisher: Brown, Son & Ferguson Date Published: 1938 Publication Place:…
A Seaman’s Pocketbook – None specified
An official Royal Navy pocketbook including sea terms, information on steering, rigging, anchors and cables, boatwork. etc. S.A Naval Forces stamp to Page 33. Old cellotape repairs. Pencil markings to Page 100 and Plate II. Foxing throughout. 120 pages. Condition: Fair. Binding: Softcover. Cardwraps covered with adhesive plastic. Cloth spine. Rusty staples. Publisher: Her Majesty’s…
The Destiny of Walfish Bay – MacDonald, William
A perspective on the history of Walvis Bay which became a focus of international attention in the context of the dispute over South West Africa/Namibia. Numerous illustrations. 96 Pages. Reprint. Condition: Very good. Binding: Hardcover. Cloth boards with gilt. Sunning to spine. Publisher: The State Library Date Published: 1979 Publication Place: Pretoria Condition: Very good….
Great Shipwrecks off the Coast of Southern Africa (signed) – Burman, Jose
Dramatic circumstances and heroic rescue work of a few of the shipwrecks off the coast of Southern Africa. Signed and inscribed by the author to the half title page. Light foxing to the prelims and top edge. Remnants of old masking tape to the endpapers. Pencil marginalia to page 145. 155 pages. First edition. Condition:…
The Siege of Kimberley. Its humerous and social side. – Phelan, T
Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Eighteen weeks in eighteen chapters. Previous owner’s name and a bookplate to endpapers. 251 pages. Foxing to prelims and page edges. First edition. Condition: Very good. Binding: Hardcover. Sunning and remnants of sticker to the spine. Some wear to the head and foot of spine. Publisher: M.H. Gill & Son, LTD. Date…
When We Were Very Young – Milne, A A
Childrens’ poetry with delightful illustrations. Previous owner’s name to front free endpaper. A few pink marks to title page. Faded tint to top edge. Discolouration marks to fore- and lower edges. 99 pages. Reprint. Condition: Good.. Binding: Hardcover. Edge wear and scuffing to the boards. Publisher: Methuen & Co. LTD. Date Published: 1956 Publication Place:…
Now We Are Six – Milne, A A
A classic children’s poetry collection with delightful illustrations. Gilt to top edge. Previous owner’s name to front free endpaper. Toning to front and rear free end papers. 103 pages. Fifth edition. Condition: Good.. Binding: Hardcover. Cloth boards with some wear to extremities. Publisher: Methuen & Co. Ltd Date Published: 1929 Publication Place: London Condition: Good….
Between Yesterday and Tomorrow. Writings by Namibian Women – Khaxas, Elizabeth (ed)
A collection of prose and poetry by Namibian women writers, exploring intersecting social and cultural issues. 212 pages. First edition. Condition: Very good. Binding: Softcover. Publisher: Women’s Leadership Centre Date Published: 2005 Publication Place: Windhoek First Edition: Yes Condition: Very good. Binding: Softcover. Dimensions: 23.5cmx16.5cmx1cm
The Changing Shore. (Signed). – Myers, S A
A history of the West Dockyard, Simon’s Town, 1743-1996 Signed by the author. The story of South Africa’s first naval dockyard – from where the Dutch VOC had built the first storehouses to support ships taking shelter in the bay to the completion of the new East Dockyard in 1910. 166 pages. First edition. Condition:…
Safe to the Sea. (Signed) – Burman, Jose
Signed by the author. The rivers of the Cape Peninsula. Includes a map and over 30 illustrations. The author’s knowledge of each river was learnt the hard way – by following them on foot. Map in rear pocket. Some toning to feps.167 pages. First edition. Condition: Very good. Dust jacket: Good. Edge-wear with come chipping…
The Land of the Lion – Rainsford, WS
A travelogue and hunting memoir documenting the author’s 13-month, 5,000-mile journey through British East Africa (modern-day Kenya) that began in 1906. B&W photographs. W.H. Smith & Sons Library label and previous owners names to front endpapers. Inscription in pencil to title page. Some edge-wear to a few pages. Split to rear end papers. 458 pages….
Shipwrecks & Salvage in South Africa. 1505 to the Present – Turner, Malcolm
A comprehensive publication covering all aspects of shipwrecks and salvage beginning with a historical overview. Copiously illustrated with photographs, maps, paintings and line drawings. Includes an alphabetical, chronological and geographical list of shipwrecks.224 Pages. First edition. Condition: Very good. Dust jacket: Good. Chips and small tears to edges. Mild sunning to top edge. Small patch…
Bellville. The growth of a city. – Strydom, C.J. Scheepers
Text: English and Afrikaans. Signed by the mayor of Bellville. Numerous B&W photographs of local residents, school teachers, business owners and premises. Bookplate to front free endpaper. Some mild spots of cockling to prelims. 305 pages. First edition. Condition: Very good. Dust jacket: Good. 3cm tear to front top edge and 1cm tear to rear…
A Seaman’s Pocketbook – None specified
An official Royal Navy pocketbook including sea terms, information on steering, rigging, anchors and cables, boatwork. etc. S.A Navy stamps to front prelims. 136 pages. First edition. Condition: Very good. Sunning to the spine. Binding: Hardcover. Cloth boards with sunning to spine and three small stains to the front board. Publisher: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office…
Memories of a Game-Ranger – Wolhuter, Harry
Adventures in the Kruger National Park when it was still a wild, trackless and almost unknown area. B&W illustrations throughout. Splitting to the spine sides at the head. Sunning with some tidemarks to the spine. Some mild scattered foxing with foxing to fore-edges. 313 Pages. Reprint. Condition: Fair. Edge wear. Hardcover. Cloth boards with front…
Sailors’ Knots – Day, Cyrus Lawrence
Descriptions and uses of various knots used in seamanship where rope is still of importance. Numerous B&W illustrated instructions for how to tie them. Label to front fep. Some foxing and toning to front and rear prelims with a few spots of scattered foxing to contents. 163 pages. Reprint. Condition: Good. Edge wear. Binding: Hardcover….
The Little Karoo – Smith, Pauline
As a child growing up in the Oudtshoorn district, the author accompanied her father, a doctor, on slow drives by Cape cart to farms to tend to the sick. Her stories center on the intense emotions of the farmers of the area. Previous owners names to front paste-down. Front end papers split at the gutter….
The Historic Village of Bethelsdorp. – Schauder, Colin D
Port Elizabeth Series No. 2 This volume, a remarkable piece of research and compilation by the author who was 14 years old at the time is the second in a series. Limited to 500 numbered copies, this being No. 400. A number of b&w photographs. Bookplate to front fep. 25 Pages. Condition: Very good. Binding:…
Trade Routes, Trade and Currency in East Africa. – Quiggin, A H
The occasional papers of the Rhode-Livingstone Museum Slim booklet. 6 Plates. 16 Pages. Condition: Good. Softcover. Staple-bound. Small open tear to head of spine. Some sunning. Publisher: The Rhodes-Livingstone Museum Date Published: 1949 Publication Place: Livingstone, Northern Rhodesia Condition: Good. Binding: Softcover. Staple-bound. Small open tear to head of spine. Some sunning.
Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa including a Sketch of Sixteen Years’ Residence in the Interior of Africa. – David Livingstone
Includes the journey from the Cape of Good Hope to Loanda on the West Coast; thence across the continent, down the river Zambesi, to the Eastern Ocean. Complete with all plates and maps. Foxing to front and rear prelims. Some underlining in blue ink on Page 39. First American edition. Good to very good. Binding:…
Researches in South Africa; illustrating the civil, moral and religious condition of the Native Tribes (2 vols) – Philip, Rev. John
Includes the journals of the author’s travels in the interior together with detailed accounts of the progress of the Christian Missions, exhibiting the influence of Christianity in promoting civilization. The author was the Superintendent of the Missions of the London Missionary Society at the Cape of Good Hope. Marbled end papers and page edges. Bookplate…