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New acquisition: Japan, described and illustrated by the Japanese
February 7, 2013 mseyf	Leave a comment
The Rare Book section of the Library and Information Service recently acquired a unique publication of the Folio Society. Japan, described and illustrated by the Japanese is a two volume publication, bound in orange and black linen respectively, with gilt edges and multi-coloured endpapers made from original chiyogami paper, printed in Japan. A limited edition of 980 copies were produced. Anneke Schaafsma, Special Collections Librarian, shares more about the history of the original publication:
Een van die Folio Society se jongste pragpublikasies, Japan, described and illustrated by the Japanese se twee volumes kan nou in die afdeling vir Beskermde Boeke besigtig word. Die boeke, 31,5 x 42 x 4,5cm. is onderskeidelik in oranje en swart linne gebind, al die sneë is verguld en die veelkleurige skutblaaie is gemaak van oorspronklike chiyogami-papier wat in Japan gedruk is.
Japan, described and illustrated by the Japanese is oorspronklik deur die JB Millet Company gedurende 1897-8 in verskeie uitgawes in Boston gepubliseer. Die 2012-uitgawe is gebaseer op die 10 volume de luxe-uitgawe wat deur Kapt. Francis Brinkley geredigeer is. Hy was op daardie stadium alreeds dekades lank in Japan woonagtig en was ’n joernalis sowel as die eienaar en redakteur van die Japan Mail. Brinkley het verskeie Japannese skrywers gevra om artikels soos “The early Japanese and their history” en “Observances and pastimes” te skryf om sodoende te probeer om die geheimsinnige Japan aan Westerlinge te probeer verduidelik. Hedendaagse lesers moet in gedagte hou dat Japan aan die einde van die 19de eeu “oopgestel” is na twee eeue se selfopgelegde afsondering - die Westerse wêreld was gaande oor Japannese kuns en wou graag meer weet oor die geskiedenis, landskap en gebruike van dié onbekende land.
Die oorspronklike werk het 259 gekleurde albumien-foto’s bevat. Elkeen van hierdie foto’s is in Japan gedruk, gewas, gefikseer, getint met goudchloried, gedroog, gesny, met die hand ingekleur en toe op sy korrekte plek ingeplak. Daar word bereken dat elke Japannese koloris net 3 foto’s per dag kon voltooi. Vir die hele de luxe-uitgawe (van 750 stelle) is 194,250 foto’s dus voorberei! Benewens die de luxe-uitgawe is verskeie ander uitgawes ook gepubliseer en honderdduisende foto’s is dus destyds gedruk en voorberei. Hierdie aandag aan detail het natuurlik veroorsaak dat dit ’n geweldige duur publikasie was. Die uitgewer het vooraf subskripsies van voornemende kopers verkry en die Japanse regering het ook finansiële ondersteuning verskaf.
Die illustrasies in die Folio Society se twee volumes is almal gedruk, maar gee ’n goeie aanduiding van hoe die oorspronklike foto’s gelyk het. Dit is ’n belewenis om deur die boeke te blaai en insae te kry in ’n vervloë lewenswyse uit ’n onbekende kultuur.
November 19, 2012 mseyf	Leave a comment
In today’s South African antique book market, it is not very often that a collector of Africana stumbles accross something rare, unique and in a very good condition. The task of the Africana collector in an established Africana library is even more difficult, since most major collections in South Africa are quite complete.
It therefore gave me great pleasure discovering a little gem called The first of the South African diamonds by Frances Browne. This novelette by Frances Browne, the “Blind poetess of Donegal” (1816-1879), is a piece of juvenile fiction based on the history of the discovery of diamonds in South Africa. The book was published in 1887 by the Religious Tract Society and is interwoven with moral lessons and examples of good Christian conduct and it’s rewards.
Irish poet Frances Browne was blinded in infancy, but was a prolific author despite her disability. She is best known for her collection of childrens’ stories Granny’s wonderful chair and its tales of fairy times. She wrote a few stories on faraway places she has never been to and according to some critics, had the ability to capture the landscape and scenery of these places quite well.
The first of the diamonds in South Africa is set in Hopetown where the first diamond was discovered. The story is obviously fictional, but Browne interestingly named her characters after versions of the names of people involved in the real events. The main character is an adopted boy named Moris Niekirk (linking to Schalk van Niekerk who was said to have sold the first diamond). Young Moris befriends a Griqua called Swartzberg (which might refer to Swartbooi, a worker on farm in the district, who was also believed to have found a diamond).
Whatever facts of fantasies inspired Browne’s story, and wherever she might have come accross them, this jewel is a precious read. Contemporary British attitudes toward Boers and native people in South Africa is evident throughout and her descriptions of the scenery with typical English references seem quaint to the modern reader.
Africana, Manuscripts Section
From household product to work of art…
October 15, 2012 mseyf	2 Comments
A very unique piece of art is currently on display in Special Collections. It is a small sculpture carved from traditional South African handmade soap, also known as “Boerseep” (literally Farmers’ soap). This unique piece was crafted by well-known South African poet and artist, Sheila Cussons, and it is the only piece of sculpture in the Cussons collection which is held at the Manuscripts Section of the Library and Information Service.
An inscription on the bas