Call of the Muezzin by Julius Schmidt
Call of the Muezzin (Author-Signed & Inscribed Copy)
A Three-Generation South African Family Saga Set Against the 1970s Oil-for-Gold Gamble
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: Call of the Muezzin: Cape to Riyadh
- Author: Julius Schmidt
- Editor: George Sole
- Publisher: Partridge
- Publication Date: 2014
- ISBN-13: 9781482803983
- Edition Details: Signed and inscribed by the author, dated 29/4/14. Edited by George Sole.
- Binding: Publisher's illustrated laminated paperback wrappers, perfect bound.
- Physical Format: Large softcover (trade-size proportions). Maps by Liesl Laurens.
- Language: English
Official Condition Report
- The Book: Very Good Plus (VG+)
- Exterior / Wraps: The printed orange and black illustrated wrappers have a shiny laminate finish and bright colours. The spine is clean and uncreased. One bottom corner shows slight bumping, a little rubbing and creasing at the cover edge, and a small brown speck. The edges of the text block are clean and white.
- Interior: The pages are clean and white, with no foxing, staining or markings other than the author's inscription on the title page. The binding is tight.
- Provenance: Author's inscription in black ink on the title page, dated: "To George + Audrey. We treasure your friendship! Thanks for everything you do for us. Best wishes julius Schmidt 29/4/14".
- The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)
Synopsis & Historical Value
Call of the Muezzin: Cape to Riyadh is a novel that follows the Kaufmann family across three generations, from 1858 to 1976. The family's founder emigrates from Germany to South Africa, where he becomes a wainwright and works on the first railway line between Cape Town and Pretoria. His son Willy becomes a politician and is later appointed high commissioner in London.
The plot centres on South Africa's search for oil after the 1973 OPEC embargo, including a proposed deal to exchange gold for crude oil from an Arab producer. The scheme is undone by an incident that shocks the Arab world.
Published in 2014 as the author's debut novel, it combines family saga with a lesser-known episode of apartheid-era economic and diplomatic history. This copy is signed and warmly inscribed by the author, which adds interest for collectors of modern signed South African fiction.
Call of the Muezzin Julius Schmidt · signed Julius Schmidt novel · Cape to Riyadh novel · South African oil embargo novel · signed South African fiction · Kaufmann family saga South Africa
