Sir Herbert Baker (1862-1946), British architect best-known for his work in South Africa [Sir Graham Bower (1848-1933), Imperial secretary to the High Commissioner for Southern Africa; Cecil Rhodes]: Autograph Letter Signed ('Herbert Baker') to 'Dear Lady' (i.e. Bower's wife), regarding elections in the Cape Colony. With fragment of another autograph letter, signed 'H. B.' , 16 August 1898; on letterhead of The Grotto, Rondebosch [Cape Town, South Africa].12mo, 6 pp. Bifolium and single leaf. Text clear and complete. Good, on aged paper. Begins with apology over 'a stupid mistake about your parcel'. 'I was awfully depressed at leaving England - in June too - but the dulness of the voyage made me forget what I left and I really did feel pleased to see table mountain again - this side of it at least.' Complains about the 'wretched elections', which have 'absorbed everything'. 'I was very sorry to find feeling so very bitter, race sentiments so strong and most people so personal'. 'Merriman' (John Xavier Merriman, last Prime Minister of the Cape Colony) has 'gone too far', and 'the vulgar crowd of newspaper readers look upon him as a political villain and Sir James as a paragon of virtue; so much for popularity'. He declines to 'prophecy', but finds that 'the dutch are solid anti-Rhodes being more united than they have ever been and Rhodes party seems very doubtful as to the result'. He is 'settling down to Colonial life again' and is 'still at the Grotto', having 'no money to build a house elsewhere'. The accompanying fragment, without date, place or name of recipient, consists of a 12mo leaf, with one page of text signed 'H. B.' In poor condition, with loss to five lines. (Book ref. 8679 ) £ 125.00 The payment methods accepted by the seller, Richard Ford , are shown in the right-hand column. |
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