Naas by Edward Griffiths

Naas (Signed by Naas Botha, First Edition in Dust Jacket)

The Official Biography of the Springbok Fly-Half, Signed by Its Subject

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Naas: the official biography
• Author: Edward Griffiths
• Publisher: Leo Publishers, Pretoria
• Publication Date: 1989
• ISBN-13: 9780620132244
• ISBN-10: 0620132248
• Edition Details: First Edition, First Impression. Signed by Naas Botha on a label affixed to the title page.
• Binding: Publisher's dark green cloth hardcover with a pictorial dust jacket.
• Physical Format: Medium-size hardcover biography with a photographic dust jacket.
• Language: English

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Very Good (VG)
• Exterior / Boards: The dark green cloth boards are clean, with a white-printed emblem at the lower right of the front board. The spine and corners are sound. There is slight bumping to the front board edge.
• Interior: The pages are clean and bright, with no foxing or markings. The binding is tight. The title page carries a small label bearing the subject's signature.
• Provenance: Signed 'Naas Botha' in blue ink on a small label affixed to the title page below the author's name. No bookplates or stamps.
• The Dust Jacket: Present. Black pictorial jacket with a colour portrait to the front and a rugby action photograph to the back. There is a tear or chip at the top of the spine and a small chip at the upper right edge of the back panel. The gilt-effect title lettering on the front shows some small speckles and wear. The gloss laminate is otherwise good. The jacket is protected in a durable archival-type plastic cover.

Synopsis & Historical Value

Published in Pretoria in 1989 by Leo Publishers, Naas is the official biography of Naas Botha, the Springbok fly-half and one of South Africa's leading rugby players of his era.

Edward Griffiths traces Botha's life from a restless boyhood through fame, marriage and career setbacks to his standing as one of the country's leading players. The portrait draws on Botha's own views as well as those of colleagues, family, friends and critics.

This first edition, first impression copy is signed by its subject, which makes it an appealing piece for collectors of South African rugby literature and sporting biography.

Author Profile: Edward Griffiths

Edward Griffiths began his career as a journalist, working as a sportswriter at Business Day and later as editor of the Sunday Times until 1993. He was born in Zimbabwe and educated in England.

He went on to become general manager of SABC television sport and, in 1995, the first chief executive of the South African Rugby Football Union. His other books include The Captains (2007), The Springbok Captains (with Stephen Nell, 2015) and Joost: for love and money (1998).

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