Williams (Gardner F.) THE DIAMOND MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA (Presentation Copy) First Edition: 681

First Edition: 681 pages, frontispiece portrait of the author, 27 photogravure plates - 2 in colour, 11 maps, numerous illustrations in the text, top edge gilt - others uncut, bound in green and brown moiré silk, decorated and titled gilt on upper cover and spine, dust jacket also titled and decorated in the same way, watermarks and a wormhole on the dust jacket which is torn on the upper cover and has been repaired and reinforced on the inside, light foxing on the uncut fore-edge, a very good copy.

Inscription on front free end paper read: To J.D. Archibald Esq; with compliments from Gardner Williams X'mas 1905

Mendelssohn (Sidney) South African Bibliography, Volume 2, page 614 : The author of this historical and practical account of the diamond industry, and especially of the South African diamond mines, was for many years the general manager of the De Beers Consolidated Mines, a gigantic undertaking founded by the late Cecil John Rhodes. The volume contains a full description of the mines with the fullest details respecting their working. Mr. Gardner Williams initiated the present system of work pursued in all underground diamond mines, and the work is replete with valuable information, and is the standard authority on all matters connected with diamonds and diamond-mining.

In addition to this, the work contains an account of the celebrated diamonds discovered in bygone times, a description of the discovery of the Kimberley group of mines and the rise of the surrounding townships, chapters on the formation of the diamond, the methods of cutting and polishing the jewels, a description of the early and modern diamond-mining machinery, and an Appendix containing an account of Kimberley during the South African War. The volume is elaborately illustrated, and many of the engravings reproduce ancient maps and charts and photographs of the greatest interest and rarity in connection with the diamond fields.