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Fry, W. Ellerton : Occupation of Mashonaland. Views by W. Ellerton Fry

London: Self-published, 1891., 1891

First printing. Very heavy folio. Unpaginated (41 stiff card leaves). Illustrated with 154 mounted photographs, all half-plate in size, with 5 panoramas consisting of two plates mounted side-by-side; all photographs have a brief printed caption beneath. Bound in 3/4 black leather with green cloth; gilt stamped. All edges gilt. Although the exact number of the printing is not known, it is generally believed that fewer than 20 copies were published. The photographs were taken by Lieutenant W. Ellerton Fry, who was the official photographer of the Pioneer Column which served as security for the occupation of Mashonaland (now part of Zimbabwe) in 1891 by the British South Africa Company (BSAC). The BSAC was formed by Cecil Rhodes for the purpose of exploiting the mineral wealth (primarily gold) of Mashonaland, and then its colonization. Although Fry considered himself to be an amateur photographer, he was recruited by the famous African big game hunter, F. C. Selous, to be the official photographer to document the progress of the BSAC; Selous served as its guide through territory he knew well. Fry was given the rank of Lieutenant and the post of Intelligence Officer. The photographic record contained in this book is outstanding and showed that Fry was anything but an amateur. This copy was owned by Major Malcolm David Graham, who first served as an officer in the Pioneer Column and then, in 1892, was officially appointed as Magistrate at Umtali in Mashonaland. Graham came from a storied family: his grandfather, Colonel John Graham, founded and gave his name to Grahamstown (South Africa), and his father, the Hon. Robert Graham, was a member of the old Cape Executive and deputy Governor of the Eastern Province of South Africa. Around the third photograph of this book which is captioned "The Police Officers" Graham has lightly written in pencil the names of the officers shown (including himself as "Lt. M. D. Graham, Staff Officer") and placed the taking of the photograph at the "Togue River." Included with the book is a folder of four documents linking the book to Graham: the Official Commission for his appointment as Magistrate at Umtali, dated 30th March, 1892, which is both signed with red Official High Commission stamp affixed; a printed invitation card to "The Grahamstown Centenary Celebration" which was held 14th August 1912, inviting "Major Graham" (written in ink); an article from the Pretoria News dated 3 February 1912 which tells of "Major Graham's Departure" from South Africa along with detailed and interesting biographical detail; and finally, a TLS written on Buckingham Palace letterhead and dated 15th July 1922 acknowledging the receipt of Graham's letter of retirement and stating "I showed your letter to the King, from which His Majesty was sorry to hear that he is losing you as one of his A.D.Cs. You know how much the King appreciates the personal service you rendered to His Majesty while you were at the War Office. . ." It is signed Clive Wigram (who was Secretary to King George V). A truly outstanding association copy. There is some wear at the extremities of the book which is very tight (hinges completely sound) and scattered foxing on the card pages which does not effect the mounted photographs. A very good or better copy of a rare, important book.. Book Condition: Very Good. Binding: Hardcover

1st Edition

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