Place Names in the Cape Province - Colin Graham Botha

Place Names in the Cape Province

A Rare Antiquarian Etymological Study of Pioneer Toponymy and Regional Settlements

Bibliographic Specifications

• Title: Place Names in the Cape Province
• Author: Colin Graham Botha
• Publisher: Juta & Co., Limited, Cape Town / Johannesburg
• Publication Date: 1926 (First Edition)
• ISBN: None Issued (Pre-ISBN Antiquarian Era)
• Edition Details: Genuine First Edition, First Impression. A rare 1920s linguistic and geographic reference book.
• Binding: Original publisher's deluxe brown linen cloth cover, featuring striking black stamped lettering on the front panel and spine.
• Physical Format: Small Octavo (8vo), 186 pages.
• Language: English

Official Condition Report

• The Book: Good Plus (G+) / Very Good Antiquarian State
• Exterior / Binding: The original brown linen covers are clean and structurally sound, with the black lettering remaining bold and easy to read. Shows slight wear at the crown and foot of the spine, along with minor bumping at the corner tips.
• Interior: Very Good. The binding remains firm and stable. The internal pages are clean, with only a light, natural age-toning that is standard for 1920s paper. Free from modern ink signatures or underlining.
• The Dust Jacket: Not Applicable (As Issued)

Synopsis & Historical Value

Colin Graham Botha’s Place Names in the Cape Province is a definitive early work on South African toponymy. Published in 1926, this study traces the origins of names given to mountains, rivers, towns, and districts across the Cape. Botha looks at how names evolved through San, Khoikhoi, Dutch, French Huguenot, and British influences, showing how these layers of language reflect the complex history of the region's frontiers and early settlements. It remains an essential tool for historians, geographers, and linguists alike.

Author Profile: Colin Graham Botha

Colin Graham Botha (1883–1973) was a pioneer of South African archival science, serving as the first Chief Archivist of the Union of South Africa from 1919 to 1944. He played a key role in centralizing and preserving the country's historic records, and wrote several foundational books on Cape history and genealogy. His deep understanding of early hand-written records allowed him to trace the origins of place names with an unmatched level of accuracy.