WITWATERSRAND GOLDFIELDS : ''An Atlas of the Witwatersrand G...

Hammer

£5,000

WITWATERSRAND GOLDFIELDS : ''An Atlas of the Witwatersrand Goldfields in the South African Republic, compiled under the direction of C. S. Goldman ... and Baron A. Von Maltzan ...'' Single page map, 40 of 42 full and double coloured plans of various estates, etc. It lacks two plans six and nine. The title-page, contents and index pages all heavily creased and poorly repaired ( the book has obviously had some extensive use) the actual maps apart from a few short tears are mainly in good order. Half morocco worn large title label on upper cover. Atlas : elephant folio, 770 x 590 mm. Published by Edward Stanford in London, 1899. * A used copy of a rare book, we have only found records of two being sold in the past 50 years. The Witwatersrand region, which forms a natural watershed between the Vaal and Olifants rivers is 40 km wide and extends for more than 100km. The thin bands of gold known as ''reefs'' are mined at depths of up to 3,050 meters. Founded as a mining settlement in 1886, Johannesburg already appears as a sizeable mining town 14 years later when this book was published, despite the Boer War (1899-1902) being in full swing. Colonized by the Boers, the Transvaal become independent in 1881. About this time gold was discovered. Interestingly this atlas was published with it's many lithographed maps during the first year of the war. Sold with the Atlas are eight of the original manuscript underground mine shaft plans of the '' Great Hole of Kimberley.'' Which is the site of the World's greatest gold rush, the Kimberly Mine dates back to 1871. The plans drawn to scale are large for instance one titled 'A K 17' is folded and hand coloured mounted on linen dissecting into seventeen sections, it extends to 1338 mm. Indicating the progression of the height and length of the shaft. These historical precision documents provide a unique record