Scotty Smith: South Africa's Robin Hood Author: F.C. Metrowich (Frederick Charles Metrowich)
Scotty Smith: South Africa's Robin Hood (Standard First Edition)
An Audacious Chronicle of South Africa's Legendary Outlaw, Frontier Rogue, and Folk Hero
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: Scotty Smith: South Africa's Robin Hood
- Author: F.C. Metrowich (Frederick Charles Metrowich)
- Publisher: Books of Africa, Cape Town
- Publication Date: 1962
- ISBN-13: Not Applicable (Published prior to standard ISBN adoption in South Africa)
- Edition Details: First Edition, Standard Hardcover Release.
- Binding: Original publisher's full cloth boards with gilded title lettering on the spine.
- Physical Format: Octavo (8vo), 248 pages. Features a frontispiece portrait illustration and endpaper maps detailing Scotty's frontier exploits.
- Language: English
Official Condition Report
- The Book: Very Good (VG)
- Exterior / Boards: The cloth boards are flat, structurally sound, and clean with firm corners and minimal shelf wear. Spine ends show minor softening, perfectly consistent with an authentic 1960s Africana release.
- Interior: The binding remains firm and structurally intact. Internal pages and text block are clean, clear, and complete with crisp text and excellent legibility. Showcases light, natural age-toning typical of this paper stock.
- Provenance: Features two small previous ownership stickers neatly applied to the verso of the front cover/endpaper, adding a subtle touch of personal history without compromising the text.
- The Dust Jacket: Good (G)
- Condition Details: The original illustrated dust jacket displays visible edge wear, light rubbing, and small creases/chips at the extremities, reflecting authentic vintage age. It has been meticulously stabilized and is now preserved in a brand-new, archival-grade clear plastic protective cover to prevent further wear.
Synopsis & Historical Value
First published in 1962, Scotty Smith: South Africa's Robin Hood serves as the definitive biographical account of George St. Leger Lennox—famously known across Southern Africa as "Scotty Smith." F.C. Metrowich masterfully chronicles the life of this aristocratic Scottish rebel who left behind a European inheritance to become the Cape Frontier's most elusive cattle rustler, horse thief, diamond smuggler, and highwayman. Blending rigorous historical record with sweeping frontier lore, the narrative paints a vivid picture of a rogue who possessed an uncanny flair for outwitting colonial authorities, navigating the unforgiving Kalahari Desert, and redistributing wealth to the impoverished. It remains a cornerstone piece of South African outlaw lore and mid-century historical publishing.
Author Profile: F.C. Metrowich
Frederick Charles Metrowich was a dedicated South African historian, chronicler, and educator celebrated for his captivating and highly accessible accounts of the Southern African frontier. A master of narrative history, Metrowich specialised in rescuing colorful folk heroes, frontier settlers, and eccentric personalities from historical obscurity. His other acclaimed works, including Assegai Over the Hills and Frontier Flames, are highly regarded by Africana collectors for their engaging storytelling style, deep reliance on regional records, and unique ability to make foundational South African history read like a classic adventure epic.
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