South Africa: Magic Land By Elaine Hurford
South Africa: Magic Land
A Rich Visual Journey Across the Landscapes, Wildlife, and Diverse Cultures of the African Contrast
A Rich Visual Journey Across the Landscapes, Wildlife, and Diverse Cultures of the African Contrast
Bibliographic Specifications
• Title: South Africa: Magic Land
• Author: Elaine Hurford
• Publisher: Struik Publishers (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town
• Publication Date: 1995
• ISBN-10: 1868257711
• ISBN-13: 9781868257712
• Edition Details: Standard Hardcover Release.
• Binding: Original publisher's premium textured cloth-bound hardboards with crisp metal-stamped typography, housed in the original illustrated glossy dust jacket.
• Physical Format: Quarto (4to), approx. 144–160 pages. Richly enhanced with hundreds of magnificent, vibrant full-colour landscapes, wilderness vistas, and ethnographic close-ups printed on premium high-grade semi-gloss stock.
• Language: English
• Title: South Africa: Magic Land
• Author: Elaine Hurford
• Publisher: Struik Publishers (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town
• Publication Date: 1995
• ISBN-10: 1868257711
• ISBN-13: 9781868257712
• Edition Details: Standard Hardcover Release.
• Binding: Original publisher's premium textured cloth-bound hardboards with crisp metal-stamped typography, housed in the original illustrated glossy dust jacket.
• Physical Format: Quarto (4to), approx. 144–160 pages. Richly enhanced with hundreds of magnificent, vibrant full-colour landscapes, wilderness vistas, and ethnographic close-ups printed on premium high-grade semi-gloss stock.
• Language: English
Official Condition Report
• The Book: Fine / Mint
o Exterior / Boards: The original publisher's hardboards are in spectacular, flawless condition, showing completely flat faces, rigid joints, and sharp, unbumped corners. The spine is structurally immaculate, vertically perfect, and undamaged, keeping its original secure binding geometry as if it were a brand-new book.
o Interior: Pristine, intact, and brilliantly white. The internal pages and rich colour photographic sequences are exceptionally crisp, flat, and completely free of aging defects such as foxing, page-turn thumb-soil, or corner creasing. Free of any standard user wear, ownership names, library markings, or dealer pencil annotations.
• The Dust Jacket: Very Good Plus (VG+)
o Condition Details: The original illustrated jacket is remarkably well-preserved, displaying excellent color saturation, sharp lines, and strong surface reflectivity. It exhibits only very limited, microscopically faint signs of superficial shelf-wear along the outermost edges. It has been carefully fitted with a professional, removable clear cellophane archival sleeve to guarantee absolute protection from future handling friction or atmospheric wear.
• The Book: Fine / Mint
o Exterior / Boards: The original publisher's hardboards are in spectacular, flawless condition, showing completely flat faces, rigid joints, and sharp, unbumped corners. The spine is structurally immaculate, vertically perfect, and undamaged, keeping its original secure binding geometry as if it were a brand-new book.
o Interior: Pristine, intact, and brilliantly white. The internal pages and rich colour photographic sequences are exceptionally crisp, flat, and completely free of aging defects such as foxing, page-turn thumb-soil, or corner creasing. Free of any standard user wear, ownership names, library markings, or dealer pencil annotations.
• The Dust Jacket: Very Good Plus (VG+)
o Condition Details: The original illustrated jacket is remarkably well-preserved, displaying excellent color saturation, sharp lines, and strong surface reflectivity. It exhibits only very limited, microscopically faint signs of superficial shelf-wear along the outermost edges. It has been carefully fitted with a professional, removable clear cellophane archival sleeve to guarantee absolute protection from future handling friction or atmospheric wear.
Synopsis & Historical Value
Published in 1995 by the historic Struik house during a monumental era of global re-emergence for the nation, Elaine Hurford’s South Africa: Magic Land stands as a beautifully curated, historically reflective celebration of a country newly open to the world. Designed as an evocative visual journey of discovery, this volume documents the profound ecological, geographical, and cultural diversity that defines the southern tip of the continent.
Published in 1995 by the historic Struik house during a monumental era of global re-emergence for the nation, Elaine Hurford’s South Africa: Magic Land stands as a beautifully curated, historically reflective celebration of a country newly open to the world. Designed as an evocative visual journey of discovery, this volume documents the profound ecological, geographical, and cultural diversity that defines the southern tip of the continent.
The publication focuses on the highly sought-after regions and hidden wonders that travelers seek out, showcasing South Africa as a true nation of contrasts. Hurford’s narrative and curated photo sequences capture everything from the lush, subtropical forests of the old Eastern Transvaal (Mpumalanga) to the stark, arid wilderness landscapes of the far west, and from the sun-drenched golden sands of the pristine coastline to the remote, dramatic peaks of isolated mountain ranges. These scenic wonders are seamlessly paired with snapshots of the country’s spectacular plant and animal life, alongside the vibrant richness of its multicultural society. This out-of-print gem serves as a beautiful addition to any regional geography library, travel archive, or collection of classic late-20th-century South African publishing.
Author Profile: Elaine Hurford
Elaine Hurford is a highly respected South African author, travel journalist, and lifestyle writer whose publications have documented the regional heritage, fine wine estates, and wilderness landscapes of the country for decades. Known for her descriptive prose and keen eye for detail, she spent years exploring the microclimates and cultural history of rural areas—culminating in several highly acclaimed works, including her celebrated book Prince Albert: An Island in the Karoo. Celebrated for her ability to blend accessible travel journalism with deep structural and environmental appreciation, Hurford’s collaborative projects with prominent South African landscape photographers remain highly regarded for capturing the spirit and evolving social landscape of the country during transitionary historical eras.
Elaine Hurford is a highly respected South African author, travel journalist, and lifestyle writer whose publications have documented the regional heritage, fine wine estates, and wilderness landscapes of the country for decades. Known for her descriptive prose and keen eye for detail, she spent years exploring the microclimates and cultural history of rural areas—culminating in several highly acclaimed works, including her celebrated book Prince Albert: An Island in the Karoo. Celebrated for her ability to blend accessible travel journalism with deep structural and environmental appreciation, Hurford’s collaborative projects with prominent South African landscape photographers remain highly regarded for capturing the spirit and evolving social landscape of the country during transitionary historical eras.
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