Middlebrook, J.E.South African Souvenir (c.1898)Album of 52 "Photoplatino" photographs laid down

Album of 52 "Photoplatino" photographs laid down on 26 stiff card leaves and hinged with linen, publisher's original simulated morocco leather, gilt titles on the cover - the spine area has been strengthened with simulation leather, gilt lettering on spine, new end papers, published with a 2pp Introduction by the author and without a title page.

The photos measure 20x14cm and the album 25.5x20cm. Photos representative of South Africa, there is also a selection on Portuguese East Africa and Rhodesia. Most photos with thin paper interleaves although these leaves mostly have folds in them. Foxing on leaves but hardly affecting photographs, original leather on boards is worn, esp. at edges and corners but not affecting the gilt lettering on front.

From the author's introduction, "In submitting this, the Second Edition of my 'South African Souvenir' - I do so with a greater confidence than I did the first-born, from the fact of the appreciation by press and public alike and the ready sale it met, and there will be fewer shortcomings in consequences of the experience gained. It will be found to contain, if possible, a greater variety and yet more typical subjects than its predecessor... Not one of the following pictures appeared in the 1897 Volume, but in other respects this Edition is similar to the former, i.e.: it is printed on the finest quality of paper - in that recherche and never-fading process "Photoplatino" - bound in handsome morocco roan padded albums, giving altogether most exceptional value".