This is literally one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to own a virtually priceless and one of a kind item. This is not the limited reprint done in 1981 but the original book from 1890. From what we are able to learn there were about twelve copies made and only seven originals of this book left. One is owned by the Oppenheimer family and there are copies in the Zimbabwe National Archives. We are led to believe that each book had slightly different photographs in it. However, the notes by the author make this book unique. This large tome, was published circa 1890 and is a photographic record of the British South Africa Company's Pioneer Columns occupation of Mashonaland. There are some 78 pages, uniquely bound, that contain the original sepia photographs of the journey. What makes this book unique are the penned in comments throughout, identifying personnel, places and events.  Based on discussions with owners of other copies of this book, it would seem these comments were penned by the original owner (Lt. Burnett - see below). Comments from an eye witness and participant in the events themselves. Provenance. This book was purchased from the widow of a direct descendant of the orginal owner. There were 2 members named Burnett in the Pioneer Column. They were brothers. The book was originally owned by one of them. The first was Reg. No. 2 Capt. E. Burnett and Reg. No. 10 Lt. R.G. Burnett. According to Adrien Darter in The Pioneers of Mashonaland, E. Burnett was killed in Matabeleland in 1893. This would mean that the original owner of the book was Reg. No. 10 Lt. R.G. Burnett. According to Fry, he is also named as a Captain. A copy of the photograph from the book of the Officers of the Column is included, showing both Burnett's. The Burnett's, according to Darter, were brothers from Kimberley and were in charge of the Transport of the Column. He notes that George Burnett had lost his left hand, but was more than capable with his remaining one. We will make sure that the buyer is put in personal contact with the family March 2008: Now includes full size reproductions of the two maps compiled by Fry in 1890 of the route of the Column (38" x 26" on matte stock). Originals are held by the Royal Geographical Society and we have been able to obtain a high resolution scan from them of the two maps. The AUTHOR W. Ellerton Fry (1846-1930) was appointed the Chief of Survey Department and Official Photographer of the Pioneer Corps with the rank of Lieutenant (w.e.f. 11/4/1890) on May 26. In addition to preparing a detailed map from the Macloustie River to Fort Salisbury, he took the first ever photographs of Zimbabwe Ruins in August 1890 (which are in the book). Born in Somerset in 1846 he emigrated to South Africa in 1872. He dug for diamonds at Kimberley and was later a prosector, farmer and trader. He also served as the Secretary and computer at the Royal Observatory in Cape Town between 1882 and 1890. He died in Mowbray, Cape in June 1930.
Published	1890
Other information	The spine and title are made from elephant leather. Each page is very heavy duty card. Titles of each photograph are printed beneath them. The author has then penned his own comments throughout. The book weighs some 11 Kgs. There is wear and tear to the cover and edges of the pages through shear age alone. It is after all some 120 years old. However, this book remains a fantastic piece of work and is the ultimate collectors piece of Rhodesiana. Due to the rarity and value of this piece we will hand deliver this item anywhere in the world - free. We supply only a limited selection of photographs here, just enough to whet the appetite. We gladly supply high resolution photographs of all pages, the cover and binding on requests. Serious bidders only though please.
	VIEW SLIDE PRESENTATION OF PHOTOGRAPHS
	PURCHASE COPIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS

 

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