Outa Karel's Stories - South African Folk-Lore Tales

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Blue and embossed gilt cover of
  • Blue and embossed gilt cover of "Out Karel's Stories".
  • Black and white illustaration of an older Black man talking to a child.
  • Black and white illustration of a Black person kneeling outside next to a f

  • Outa Karel's Stories - South African Folk-Lore Tales

  • A first edition of a collection of South African tales, published in 1914 and containing 6 black and white illustrations.
  • £30.00

:  at  £30.00  each

"Outa Karel's Stories - South African Folk-Lore Tales" is a compilation of stories compiled by Sanni Metelerkamp. Born in 1867, Metelerkamp was the granddaughter of George Rex, founder of the town of Knysna. In the introduction to the book, she notes that she was told the stories by "the old Native".

This appears to be a first edition as there is just the word "Copyright" on one page with no other editions listed.

Title: Outa Karel's Stories - South African Folk-Lore Tales
Author: Sanni Metelerkamp (with illustrations by Constance Penstone)
Publisher: Macmillan and Co.
Publication Year: 1914
Pages: 149, plus 6 pages of illustrations and 1 of adverts.

This antique book has a lovely blue cover with an embossed gilt pattern on the front and spine, and the title also in embossed gilt. The cover has a few small marks and the top and bottom of the spine are a little worn, but it's free of serious stains or damage.

Inside the book all pages and illustrations are present. There are six illustrations in total - one opposite the title page, and the other five throughout the book, with a list of them after the "Contents" page. The binding is secure but the spine is cracking in places, as you would expect for a book this age.

The pages have some marks scattered throughout, mostly fingerprints and dirt. There are no pen marks, and although the text block shows signs of foxing the inside covers are clear. None of the illustrations are damaged.

Overall this book should be a lovely addition to the bookshelf of anyone interested in South African folk-lore. This book appears to still be periodically republished so this is a chance to own an antique copy.

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