First Edition: Lake Regions of Central Africa by Sir Richard F Burton (1860)
R17,500

In 1856, the Royal Geographical Society funded another expedition for Burton and Speke, "an exploration of the then utterly unknown Lake regions of Central Africa." They would travel from Zanzibar to Ujiji along a caravan route established in 1825 by an Arab ivory and slave merchant. The Great Journey commenced on 5 June 1857 with their departure from Zanzibar.

For more details and images, go to the website: https://jamesfindlaycollectablebooks.com/books-on-africa/lake-regions-of-central-africa-1860

See more Books on Africa on the website.

Manuscript: A Diary of a Victorian Traveller in India (1861-1863)
R10,000

This is a 180-page diary of a Victorian traveller to India. This diary is a handwritten clerical copy from the letters that James Henry sent to his father. Beginning at Southampton docks and then overland from Calcutta (Kolkata) to New Delhi.

For more details and images, go to the website: https://jamesfindlaycollectablebooks.com/transport/a-diary-of-a-victorian-traveller-in-india-by-steamship-1861-1863

See more Transport on the website.

Second Edition: Journal of Three Voyages along the Coast of China (1834)
R7,500

Journal of three voyages along the coast of China, in 1831, 1832 and 1833 : with notices of Siam, Corea [sic], and the Loo-Choo Islands: to which is prefixed an Introductory essay on the policy, religion, etc. of China by the Rev. W. Ellis. Written by Karl Friedrich August Gützlaff (also known as Charles Gutzlaff), a Prussian-born Protestant missionary and linguist

For more details and images, go to the website: https://jamesfindlaycollectablebooks.com/books-rest-of-the-world/journal-of-three-voyages-along-the-coast-of-china-1834

See more Books on the Rest of the World on the website.

First Edition: The Colony of Natal by Robert James Mann (1859)
R6,500

The Colony of Natal is a historical work compiled and edited by Robert James Mann in 1859. Subtitled "An Account of the Characteristics and Capabilities of this British Dependency," it served as an early standard guide for the British colony of Natal. The book was published under the authority of the Government Immigration Board of Natal, specifically to provide guidance and information to prospective emigrants.

For more details and images, go to the website: https://jamesfindlaycollectablebooks.com/kwazulu-natal/the-colony-of-natal-by-robert-james-mann-1859

See more on Kwa-Zulu Natal on the website (New)

Second Edition: Rhodesian Companies By R.R Mabson (1899)
R3,500

Reprinted from the ‘STATIST’ with additional information to date.

A rare historical financial publication authored by Richard Rouse (R.R.) Mabson. It serves as a detailed record of the corporate and mining entities operating in Rhodesia (modern-day Zimbabwe) during the late 19th-century gold rush.

For more details and images, go to the website: https://jamesfindlaycollectablebooks.com/zimbabwe-rhodesia/rhodesian-companies-1899

See more on Zimbabwe & Rhodesia on the website.

First Edition: Testament to the Bushmen by Laurens van der Post and Jane Taylor (1984)
R3,500

Ex Libris Bert Woodhouse, inscribed by Laurens van der Post.

When Sir Laurens first knew the Bushmen, their mythology and customs were still a living force. The Bushmen attitudes were expressed in their pattern of life and in the rock paintings of their ancestors. But things are very different today.

In a moving documentary account, Jane Taylor records factually and in detail the life of the Bushmen. She describes how traditionally they lived and painted all over southern Africa.

For more details and images, go to the website:
https://jamesfindlaycollectablebooks.com/art-books/testament-to-the-bushmen-by-laurens-van-der-post-and-jane-taylor-1984

See more Rock Art in Art Books on the website  

Limited Edition: South African Botanical Art by Marion Arnold (2001)
R3,500

South African Botanical Art: Peeling Back the Petals (2001) is a seminal work edited and introduced by Marion Arnold, an art historian and professional artist. It explores the rich intersection of art and science through South Africa's diverse floral heritage.
Sponsors Edition limited to 26, this being edition L.
Ex Libris Stephan Welz, signed by Marion Arnold.

For more details and images, go to the website: https://jamesfindlaycollectablebooks.com/natural-history/limited-edition-south-african-botanical-art-by-marion-arnold-2001

See more Natural History on the website.

De Luxe Edition: Ernest Ullmann ‘Design on Life’ (1970)
R2,500

The De Luxe Edition of Ernest Ullmann's autobiography, Designs on Life, published in 1970 by Howard Timmins, is a highly sought-after collector's item. This edition was strictly limited to 100 copies. Each copy includes an original signed etching or line drawing by Ernest Ullmann.
This is no. 59 of 100.

280-page comprehensive account of Ullmann’s life and diverse artistic career, including his "Ullmann tapestries," sculptures, and stage designs.

For more info and images, go to the website:
https://jamesfindlaycollectablebooks.com/art-books/de-luxe-edition-ernest-ullmann-design-on-life-1970

See more Art Books on the website

Two Signed George R.R Martin First Editions
R1,000

Wild Cards is a series of science fiction superhero shared universe anthologies, mosaic novels, and solo novels written by a collection of authors known as the Wild Cards Trust and edited by George R. R. Martin and Melinda M. Snodgrass.

Set largely during an alternate history of post-World War II United States, the series follows humans who contracted the Wild Card virus, an alien virus that rewrites DNA and mutates survivors; those who acquire minor or crippling physical conditions are known as Jokers, and those who acquire superhuman abilities are known as Aces.

For more details and images, go to the website: https://jamesfindlaycollectablebooks.com/fantasy-horror-science-fiction/two-signed-george-rr-martin-first-editions

See more books on Fantasy, Horror and Science Fiction on the website (New). 

First US Trade Edition: Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee (2015)  
R1,000

Although released 55 years after her Pulitzer Prize-winning classic To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), Go Set A Watchman was actually written first, in the mid-1950s, and served as an early draft of To Kill A Mockingbird.

Published by Harper Collins, New York, 2015
First US trade edition.

For more details and images, go to the website: https://jamesfindlaycollectablebooks.com/first-editions/go-set-a-watchman-by-harper-lee-first-trade-edition-2015

See more First Editions on the website 

As of April 2026 the business has moved completely online after many happy years of operating retail stores in Saxonwold, Rand Club and The Cape Town Club.

For more information contact James
+27 (0) 79 779 4574
jamesfindlaycollectablebooks@gmail.com

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