{"product_id":"williams-gardner-f-the-diamond-mines-of-south-africa-special-author-s-signed-edition-2-volumes","title":"WILLIAMS, Gardner F. — The Diamond Mines of South Africa (Special Author’s Signed Edition, 2 Volumes)","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWILLIAMS, Gardner F. — The Diamond Mines of South Africa (Special Author’s Signed Edition, 2 Volumes)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDescription\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eA superb, highly collectible example of the \u003cb\u003edefinitive historical and practical authority on the South African diamond industry\u003c\/b\u003e. Written by Gardner F. Williams, the legendary former General Manager of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/antiquarianauctions.com\/preview\/the-diamond-mines-of-south-africa-special-author-s-signed-edition-2\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eDe Beers Consolidated Mines\u003c\/a\u003e, this work offers an unmatched firsthand perspective on the rise of the Kimberley mines under Cecil John Rhodes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eA superb, highly collectible example of the definitive historical and practical authority on the South African diamond industry. Written by Gardner F. Williams, the legendary former General Manager of De Beers Consolidated Mines, this work offers an unmatched firsthand perspective on the rise of the Kimberley mines under Cecil John Rhodes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis specific set is a rare \u003cb\u003eAuthor’s Edition, limited to just 1,000 copies, and is hand-signed and numbered (#105) by Gardner F. Williams\u003c\/b\u003e on the limitations page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eRenowned bibliographer Sidney Mendelssohn notes in his \u003ci\u003eSouth African Bibliography\u003c\/i\u003e that this monumental work is \"replete with valuable information and is the standard authority on all matters connected with diamonds and diamond-mining.\" It covers everything from ancient gem history and township growth to underground mining engineering, cutting techniques, and a vital eyewitness Appendix documenting Kimberley during the South African War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDetailed Specifications\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Gardner F. Williams, M.A.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e The Diamond Mines of South Africa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e B.F. Buck \u0026amp; Company, New York\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eYear:\u003c\/b\u003e 1905\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eEdition:\u003c\/b\u003e Limited Author's Edition (Copy No. 105 of 1,000, \u003cb\u003eSigned by Author\u003c\/b\u003e)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFormat\/Size:\u003c\/b\u003e 4to (260 x 180 mm); 2 Volumes (Volume I: 359 pages | Volume II: 353 pages)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBinding:\u003c\/b\u003e Full black leather with intricate decorative gilt on upper covers and spines; titled gilt on spines; marbled endpapers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eEdges:\u003c\/b\u003e Uncut fore-edge, top edge gilt (TEG).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIllustration \u0026amp; Map Inventory\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAn exceptionally rich, elaborately illustrated copy containing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFrontispieces:\u003c\/b\u003e Photogravure frontispiece portrait of Williams (Vol. I); striking colour frontispiece of diamonds (Vol. II).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMaps \u0026amp; Plans:\u003c\/b\u003e 15 total maps (including 4 double-page maps).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMining Plans:\u003c\/b\u003e 1 double-page coloured plan of the \u003cb\u003eKimberley Mine in 1877\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLarge Map:\u003c\/b\u003e 1 massive folding map housed at the rear of Volume II.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePlates:\u003c\/b\u003e 26 high-quality photogravures alongside numerous text illustrations and plates, several in full colour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVolumes:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cb\u003eVery Good Set.\u003c\/b\u003e The leather bindings remain strong and beautiful with bright, crisp decorative gilt. Internally clean with solid text blocks and excellent plate preservation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePublisher's Box:\u003c\/b\u003e Housed in the rare, original publisher's box. The box is in \u003cb\u003eworn\u003c\/b\u003e condition, though it has successfully protected the books themselves for over a century.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBibliographic Reference\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;\"\u003eCited in \u003ci\u003eMendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography\u003c\/i\u003e, Volume 2, Page 614.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"B.F. Buck \u0026amp; Company, New York","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58143727288623,"sku":"WILLIAMS, Gardner F. — The Diamond Mines of South Africa (Special Author’s Signed Edition, 2 Volumes)","price":14500.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0458\/5524\/4438\/files\/20260630_135726.jpg?v=1783331351","url":"https:\/\/timeless-collectible-books.com\/products\/williams-gardner-f-the-diamond-mines-of-south-africa-special-author-s-signed-edition-2-volumes","provider":"Timeless Collectible Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}