In the Steps of Piet Retief - Ethleen Gledhill
In the Steps of Piet Retief (Collectible First Edition with Dust Jacket)
An Illustrated Historical Journey Through the Footsteps of the Voortrekker Leader
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: In the Steps of Piet Retief
- Author: Etheleen Gledhill
- Publisher: Human & Rousseau, Cape Town / Pretoria
- Publication Date: 1980
- ISBN-10: 0798110880
- ISBN-13: 9780798110884
- Edition Details: First Edition, Standard Hardcover Release.
- Binding: Publisher's original premium cloth boards with gilt spine typography.
- Physical Format: Quarto (4to). Enhanced with detailed geographical route maps, historic landscape photography, and deep archival documentation.
- Language: English
Official Condition Report
- The Book: Very Good Plus (VG+)
- Exterior / Binding: The original publisher's cloth boards are extremely crisp, square, and robust. The corner tips remain sharp and the spine extremities are unmarred, exhibiting excellent shelf presence.
- Interior: The pages are exceptionally bright, beautifully bound, and completely clean throughout. Free from foxing, owner inscriptions, dealer stamps, or margin notes.
- The Dust Jacket: Very Good Plus (VG+)
- Condition Detail: The original illustrated dust jacket is vibrant and structurally complete, presenting only negligible storage shelf wear. It is free of any sun-fading or major tears. For long-term preservation, it is now safely housed in an archival-grade, removable plastic cover protective sleeve.
Synopsis & Historical Value
Etheleen Gledhill's In the Steps of Piet Retief is a landmark piece of geographical and biographical history published in 1980 by Human & Rousseau. The work traces the physical routes, settlements, and tactical maneuvers of the iconic Voortrekker leader, Piet Retief, during the Great Trek. Gledhill blends rigorous field research with historical journals to piece together a vivid, localized account of the trekker migration and the fateful encounters in Natal. This rare collectible copy stands out as both an authoritative reference for serious collectors of frontier history and a beautifully preserved example of mid-century South African publishing.
Author Profile: Etheleen Gledhill
Etheleen Gledhill was an accomplished South African historical researcher and writer with a deep passion for regional history and heritage preservation. Collaborative and meticulous, her works are highly respected for their accurate mapping and ability to bridge the gap between academic geography and engaging historical narrative.
