War and Peace in South Africa 1879–1881: The Writings of Philip Anstruther and Edward Essex Author: Dr Paul H. Butterfield (Editor / Narrator)
War and Peace in South Africa 1879–1881: The Writings of Philip Anstruther and Edward Essex (Collectible Signed & Numbered Limited Edition)
A Highly Prized Firsthand Historical Compilation of the Anglo-Zulu and First Anglo-Boer Wars, Issued in an Elite Deluxe Presentation Volume
Bibliographic Specifications
- Title: War and Peace in South Africa 1879–1881: The Writings of Philip Anstruther and Edward Essex
- Author: Dr Paul H. Butterfield (Editor / Narrator)
- Publisher: Scripta Africana, Melville, Johannesburg
- Publication Date: 1986
- ISBN-10: 0947025189
- ISBN-13: 9780947025182
- Edition Details: Scripta Africana Series Deluxe Collectors Edition. First Edition. Number 466 of only 1,000 numbered copies, hand-numbered and signed by the Director and Chairman, Hans Strydom, on the official limitation certificate page.
- Binding: Original publisher’s elite deluxe full leather binding, featuring ornate gilt borders, raised bands, and gold spine detailing, housed in the original matching red presentation slipcase.
- Physical Format: Imperial Octavo (Imp. 8vo), 246 pages. Enriched with historic black-and-white plates, maps, illustrated endpapers, and an official Scripta Africana series membership list.
- Language: English
Official Condition Report
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The Book: Very Good Plus (VG+)
o Exterior / Leather Binding: The luxurious full-leather spine and covers are beautifully preserved, retaining bright, highly reflective gold gilt lettering and detailed obverse relief. The raised bands are sharp and completely unworn, showing excellent structural preservation and outstanding shelf presence.
o Interior: The text block is exceptionally tight, white, and clean. The internal heavy-stock pages, illustrations, and endpapers remain crisp and entirely free of user annotations, highlighting, common library stamps, or foxing.
o Provenance: Features the pristine, authentic ink signature of Director Hans Strydom alongside the hand-numbered designation "466" on the official tipped-in limitation certificate. -
The Slipcase: Very Good (VG)
o Condition: The original matching heavy-card protective slipcase is sturdy, structurally whole, and completely intact. It exhibits only light, standard handling-related wear, mild shelf friction, and very slight, superficial chafing on the flat panels—entirely consistent with standard archival storage.
Synopsis & Historical Value
Commissioned as an entirely new work specially written for the prestigious Scripta Africana series, War and Peace in South Africa 1879–1881 is an invaluable historical goldmine compiled from the long-hidden private letters and diaries of two highly articulate contemporary figures. Edited by Dr Paul H. Butterfield, the volume uncovers the firsthand narratives of Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Anstruther (who tragically commanded the 94th Regiment at the catastrophic Battle of Bronkhorstspruit) and the Reverend Edward Essex, an army chaplain who survived the terrifying fields of Isandlwana and Ulundi. Together, their primary writings bridge the tumultuous transition from the bloody conclusion of the Anglo-Zulu War to the explosive outbreak of the First Anglo-Boer War. Because this luxurious full-leather printing was restricted exclusively to select subscribers, this beautifully maintained volume serves as a critical centerpiece for advanced military collectors and serious students of 19th-century imperial history.
Commissioned as an entirely new work specially written for the prestigious Scripta Africana series, War and Peace in South Africa 1879–1881 is an invaluable historical goldmine compiled from the long-hidden private letters and diaries of two highly articulate contemporary figures. Edited by Dr Paul H. Butterfield, the volume uncovers the firsthand narratives of Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Anstruther (who tragically commanded the 94th Regiment at the catastrophic Battle of Bronkhorstspruit) and the Reverend Edward Essex, an army chaplain who survived the terrifying fields of Isandlwana and Ulundi. Together, their primary writings bridge the tumultuous transition from the bloody conclusion of the Anglo-Zulu War to the explosive outbreak of the First Anglo-Boer War. Because this luxurious full-leather printing was restricted exclusively to select subscribers, this beautifully maintained volume serves as a critical centerpiece for advanced military collectors and serious students of 19th-century imperial history.
Author Profile: Dr Paul H. Butterfield
Dr Paul H. Butterfield was a meticulous South African historical researcher, editor, and academic widely celebrated for retrieving lost primary source accounts of colonial-era conflicts. His rigorous archival work for the Scripta Africana society specialized in restoring the unfiltered voices, personal diaries, and field correspondence of frontline personnel. His scholarship remains highly regarded today by global military historians for adding rich human emotion and objective tactical clarity to the overarching strategic record of the British imperial footprint in Southern Africa.
Dr Paul H. Butterfield was a meticulous South African historical researcher, editor, and academic widely celebrated for retrieving lost primary source accounts of colonial-era conflicts. His rigorous archival work for the Scripta Africana society specialized in restoring the unfiltered voices, personal diaries, and field correspondence of frontline personnel. His scholarship remains highly regarded today by global military historians for adding rich human emotion and objective tactical clarity to the overarching strategic record of the British imperial footprint in Southern Africa.
collectible book paul butterfield scripta africana limited edition signed hans strydom war and peace in south africa 1879 1881 philip anstruther edward essex anglo zulu war first boer war bronkhorstspruit rare book full leather 1986 used copy red slipcase matching number
